David C. Campbell, 36, of Nashua

CONCORD – Federal officials on Monday announced the sentencing of Nashua resident David Campbell to an 18-month prison term in a case that stemmed from his arrest about a year and a half ago on accusations of drug trafficking.

Campbell, 36, had pleaded guilty to the charge in July, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray said Monday.

“Drug traffickers distribute illegal substances that undermine public health and safety,” Murray said, adding that federal officials work closely with Nashua police, and with other law enforcement agencies, “in order to combat (drug traffickers’) dangerous activities” by “prosecuting the individuals who peddle lethal substances” in New Hampshire.

Murray said Campbell’s case is among the numerous cases that were investigated and prosecuted under Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an initiative created by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2018.

Nashua police arrested Campbell in April 2019, when three officers returning to headquarters after their patrol shifts spotted him walking around a gas station parking lot and decided to stop and watch him.

Murray said the officers noted Campbell “seemed to be impaired … he was at times staring off into the distance and walking aimlessly in the parking lot.”

The officers approached Campbell and spoke with him, and upon determining he was in possession of methamphetamine they took him into custody.

A subsequent search of Campbell revealed “distributable quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl,” Murray said.

Campbell later admitted to selling methamphetamine, Murray said, and he also “acknowledged that he was working on a deal in the parking lot before officers confronted him.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.

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