CONCORD — A Manchester man admitted in federal court today to charges of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
John Barber, 32, entered a guilty plea to two counts of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott set Barber’s sentencing for May 29, with the defendant originally indicted on Sept. 6 but pleading guilty to a superseding information that added another drug charge.
The case began on Feb. 23 when a New Hampshire State Trooper stopped a vehicle on Interstate 93 in Concord.
Barber, a passenger in the car, was found near several plastic baggies, a digital scale, and a locked zipper pouch after the driver consented to a search.
A warrant later allowed authorities to discover approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine and 130 grams of fentanyl inside the pouch.
Barber, who was carrying $3,000 in cash, admitted his intention to distribute the drugs.
Further investigation on Aug. 23 led law enforcement officers to execute a search warrant at Barber’s camper in Manchester, where they found roughly 75 grams of methamphetamine.
The way the drugs were packaged suggested distribution, and Barber acknowledged ownership of the methamphetamine.
Barber faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, no less than three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S.
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the probe, with the Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police providing key support.
