CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said Mark Manapsil, 35, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Aug. 17, 2016, and Nov. 2, 2016, Manapsil sold quantities of cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers. On Nov. 29, 2016, Manapsil, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing guns, sold a semi-automatic rifle to the cooperating individual for $900.

On March 22, 2017, Manapsil was found in possession of 497 grams of cocaine when his vehicle was stopped by the New Hampshire State Police in Nashua.

Manapsil will be sentenced on Oct. 21.

“Drug traffickers are engaged in a hazardous business,” Murray said. “Frequently, they equip themselves with firearms, thereby increasing the risk to the community. In order to combat this threat, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to pursue federal prosecutions of armed drug traffickers.”

“Drug traffickers have no place in our community and the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to do everything we can to stop the movement and sale of drugs on our streets, while ensuring that our neighborhoods are free from illegal firearms,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis is prosecuting the case.

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