Drug suspects arrested
Sixteen of 17 suspects charged in the Coos County drug investigation conducted by state and federal authorities.
Authorities arrested 17 people in Coos County following a four-month investigation into drug trafficking in northern New Hampshire, State Police announced.
The state police Narcotics Investigations Unit worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Manchester office to target distribution networks for fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, they said in a statement.
The arrests included charges ranging from possession of controlled drugs in a motor vehicle to conspiracy to commit narcotics sales and possession with intent to distribute, according to police. Some suspects also faced charges of hindering prosecution and fugitive from justice.
Investigators seized quantities of the four drugs along with evidence of trafficking operations, though authorities did not specify amounts.
“This investigation reflects our ongoing commitment to working with our federal and local partners to aggressively target those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic in our communities,” said Col. Mark B. Hall, director of New Hampshire State Police.
Special agent in charge Jarod Forget of the DEA’s New England Division said the 17 suspects were “specifically targeted as being responsible for the majority of the fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in the county.”
The operation included assistance from the Colebrook and Berlin police departments, state police said.
Anyone with information can contact Lt. Shane W. Larkin of the Narcotics Investigations Unit at (603) 234-0707 or send anonymous tips to nabdope@dos.nh.gov.