Ira Weeks, 40, of Greenfield, was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced last week.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Weeks conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Weeks obtained the fentanyl from a source of supply in Methuen, Massachusetts.
As part of the investigation, in December 2017 the Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted phone communications between Weeks and his co-conspirator wife in which the couple ordered quantities of fentanyl from their Methuen drug source. DEA subsequently surveilled Weeks in Methuen meeting with the drug source on approximately four occasions. The DEA and the New Hampshire State Police arranged to conduct motor vehicle stops on Weeks’ vehicle after observing him meet with his drug source. These stops resulted in the seizure of over 175 grams of fentanyl.
Weeks previously pleaded guilty on May 27. His wife, Shelley Weeks, was also indicted in the conspiracy. She pleaded guilty on March 26 and is awaiting sentencing.
“Interstate fentanyl traffickers make a deadly drug available for sale in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The results have been disastrous. The substantial prison sentence imposed in this case should serve as a warning to those would choose to involve themselves in this dangerous business.”