A Concord man has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. Zachary Albert, 44, entered his plea before U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe, who scheduled sentencing for May 27, 2026.
Court documents and statements presented during the hearing indicated that in the fall of 2022, the FBI Major Offender Task Force and New Hampshire State Police began investigating a methamphetamine distribution network operating in New Hampshire. Investigators intercepted phone calls and text messages showing that Albert acted as a mid-level distributor. He obtained methamphetamine from a co-conspirator and sold it to others.
On March 16, 2023, Albert arranged to purchase methamphetamine intended for two customers. Law enforcement later stopped and searched his vehicle, finding 97.9 grams of fentanyl and 26.9 grams of methamphetamine.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million. Sentencing decisions are made by federal district court judges based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Offender Task Force with support from the New Hampshire State Police. The Concord Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and New Hampton Police Department also assisted with the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske prosecuted the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” officials stated in their announcement. “Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
