Erika Barlow, 32, of Nashua, was recently indicted for her alleged role in a drug trafficking operation in Lawrence, Mass. Courtesy photo

NASHUA — Erika Barlow, 32, and Dylan Painter, 26, both of Nashua, were recently indicted for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking operation in Lawrence, Mass.

According to law enforcement officials, fentanyl was sent from Massachusetts to New Hampshire from October 2021 until August of this year.

During the seizure, officers allegedly confiscated more than two pounds of fentanyl.

However, further investigation revealed that the leaders of the Lawrence operation had reportedly negotiated deals involving the shipment of nearly 31 pounds of fentanyl. According to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, that much fentanyl could claim up to 7.7 million lives — far more than the combined populations of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Connecticut.

Barlow and Painter remain in custody and have been charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, they could each face up to 20 years in prison.

This is also not the first run-in with the law for Barlow and Painter. In December 2016, Barlow was charged with selling heroin and held on $25,000 bail. In November 2017, Painter was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

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