CONCORD, NH – A Manchester bar owner has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute.
Rigoberto Ramirez-Aldava, 40, formerly of Manchester, pleaded guilty to possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements in the court proceeding, Ramirez-Aldava, a citizen of Mexico, operated El Patron Sports Bar and Grill, LLC, located on Wilson Street in Manchester. In June, 2016, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) received information that Ramirez-Aldava was in possession of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine. On June 21, 2016, an undercover DEA Task Force Officer met with Ramirez-Aldava at a location in Manchester, where Ramirez-Aldava provided the undercover officer with a sample of approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine.
On June 29, 2016, the undercover officer met with Ramirez-Aldava at the same location in Manchester and purchased approximately 359 grams of methamphetamine for $8,000. On July 11, 2016, Ramirez-Aldava was arrested as he travelled to a pre-arranged location in Manchester where he intended to sell the undercover officer approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine for $85,000. Approximately 4.5 kilograms were recovered from Ramirez-Aldava’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.
As part of the investigation, DEA agents search of El Patron Sports Bar and Grill resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. A large quantity of cash also was seized during a search of his apartment.
Ramirez-Aldava is scheduled to be sentenced on June 22, 2017.
“This record-setting seizure of methamphetamine in New Hampshire demonstrates DEA’s commitment to disrupt and dismantle Mexican drug trafficking organizations who have become the primary manufacturers and distributors of methamphetamine to cities throughout the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson
“Amid the opioid crisis, drug traffickers also continue their efforts to distribute other deadly substances in New Hampshire. This case is another example of the teamwork among the law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire that are working each and every day to protect the community. Thanks to quick and decisive investigative work, a very large quantity of methamphetamine has been removed from the streets before it could cause further harm.” said Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Manchester and Nashua Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.
