CONCORD – Alexander Aguasvivas-Pena, 32, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced on Aug. 11 to 15 years in prison for his role as the leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

According to court documents, the investigation began during the latter part of 2023. With assistance from cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer, investigators identified Aguasvivas-Pena as the leader and being responsible for distributing more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine.

He later pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

“Mr. Aguasvivas-Pena led an organization moving huge quantities of illicit narcotics into New Hampshire. He must be held accountable. This sentence imposes that accountability,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, we are targeting and disrupting drug trafficking across international and state borders, trafficking that has caused such damage to our state and we will continue to do so.”

One of Aguasvivas-Pena’s associates, Joseph Lara, 50, of Pembroke, pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically methamphetamine.

Since 2022, Lara had been identified as a drug trafficker by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Prior to joining Aguasvivas-Pena’s organization, Lara worked with Robert Perez of California from 2020 to 2022, according to the DEA’s investigation. During that time, Lara purchased 30 pounds of methamphetamine that Perez then shipped to New Hampshire.

From 2023 to 2025, Lara worked for Aguasvivas-Pena and assisted in distributing large amounts of methamphetamine.

Lara is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 23.

Under federal law, he could face 20 years to life in prison, at least 10 years of supervised release and up to $20 million in fines.