FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: Lieutenant Brian N. O’Keefe
Direct Line: 603-792-5430
April 8, 2015
Operation Dragnet ends with 24 Arrests
For the second time this year, members of the Manchester Police Department’s Special Enforcement Division (SED) worked collaboratively with the following agencies; United States Attorney’s Office; Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office; New Hampshire State Police (Narcotics Investigative Unit); Hillsborough County Sheriffs Department; United States Drug Enforcement Agency (HIDTA); New Hampshire Probation and Parole; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security and Immigration; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the United States Marshal’s Service for a multi person round-up.
The operation began Tuesday April 7th when detectives arrested Carlos Cruz, 24, Manchester, NH at his Corning Road home during the early morning hours. Detectives from the Special Enforcement Division’s Street Crime and Special Investigative Division, along with SWAT team members executed two search warrants simultaneously. One of the search warrants was conducted at the Corning Road home and a Concord Street address.
An undercover detective started investigating the subject several months ago and identified Cruz as a major supplier of both heroin and cocaine through Manchester. Cruz allegedly used the two addresses to sell large quantities of both drugs to multiple people, including the undercover detective.
Cruz was charged with; One Count Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Drug (F), One Count Possession of a Controlled Drug (F), Falsifying Physical Evidence (F), One Count Possession of a Controlled Drug (M). He was also held on a 72 hour Probation/Parole violation, so no bail was set. Detectives seized $2,968.00 United States Currency, 13.8 grams Cocaine (Value $1,400.00), 11.5 grams Marijuana (value $10.00) and one single Alprazolam tablet.
The aforementioned agencies met at police headquarters at 5:00 a.m. this morning to plan and execute the arrests of the 44 people engaged in illicit drug sales over the past six to twelve months. The operation was made up of twelve separate arrest teams made up of the various law enforcement agencies mentioned in the release. The multi-agency collaboration resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals.
Some of the targets may or may not be connected to one another, so it was imperative to arrive at the various locations in a rapid succession. The multiple arrest teams executed the arrest warrants at various locations between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. today. The following were arrested on the prepared arrest warrants and most were arrested at their own home except Wascar Melo, 23 of Dorchester, MA who was arrested at Castillo’s Belmont Market (422 Belmont Street).
Melo was arrested inside of his store by members of New Hampshire State Police NIU. He was in possession of almost $15,000.00 United States currency, 50 grams of heroin (street value $5,000.00) and 17.5 grams of cocaine (street value $3,000.00). He had two arrest warrants for Sale of a Controlled Drug. He was also charged with Possession with intent to distribute as a result of the drugs seized from him today.
Busted
The following people were arrested on outstanding warrants as a result of the investigation.
Kenny Errico, 25 of Manchester, NH. 3 Counts of Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin and Cocaine).
Gregory Lajoie, 37, Raymond, NH. 2 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Willie Player, 30, Manchester, NH. 2 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Crack Cocaine).
Keith Haskell, 34, Goffstown, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Cocaine).
Daniel Brignoni, 33, Manchester, NH. 2 Counts Sale of a COntolled Drug (Cocaine).
Shanti Jehlicka (Santiago-Martinez), 21, Manchester, NH. 2 Counts Slae of a Controlled Drug (Heroin)
Brittany Hunt, 25, Bedford, NH. 3 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Jason Johnson, 23, Allenstown, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Brystal Razo, 25, Derry, NH. 1Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Edward Gallien, 34, Manchester, NH.4 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Timothy Hickman, 40, Manchester, NH. 3 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Krystal Gallien, 37, Manchester, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Ashlie Groulx, 26, Manchester, NH 4 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Cocaine and Oxycontin).
Juan Molina, 25, Manchester, NH. 2 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Oxycontin).
Daniel Lalanne, 43, Manchester, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Heroin).
James Hall, 51, Manchester, NH. 2 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug (Cocaine).
Ronald Mariano, 48, Manchester, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Crack Cocaine).
Katherine Plumpton, 31, Manchester, NH. 1 Count Sale of a Controlled Drug (Oxycontin)
Christopher Turgeon, 30, Manchester, NH. Capias 1 Count Possession of Oxycontin.
Hunter Decasto, 21, Manchester, NH (No Photo). 1 Count Sale of Controlled Drug (Heroin).
Johnny Bill Young, 31, Manchester, NH. (No Photo) 3 Counts Sale of a Controlled Drug Marijuana)
