Shooting Investigation Ends With Massive Drug Bust

A shooting investigation in New Hampshire ended with a multi-state operation and millions of dollars worth of heroin/Fentanyl seized.

A Manchester woman was shot on June 22 after an attempted home invasion at her Winter St. apartment.

The investigation led Manchester Police on a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving several police departments from Massachusetts.

Major seizures of heroin and Fentanyl took place during a four-day span in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 22 kilograms of heroin/Fentanyl with an estimated street value of $2.2 million were recovered.

A manufacturing plant at a Lawrence, Massachusetts, duplex was closed down.

The shooting victim, Jeannette Hardy, 24, was initially treated for a gunshot wound. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives found two kilograms of heroin inside her apartment and $226,000 in cash.

Hardy was arrested on June 24 after she was treated for her injuries. She is charged with possession with intent to distribute and appeared in court on June 25 and posted bail. A probable cause hearing for Hardy is set for July 29. Police describe Hardy as a "mid-level" drug dealer. 

Two Massachusetts men were also arrested. Four handguns and two motor vehicles have been seized.

Police say this is the largest seizure in Manchester's history.

At a press conference Monday, Manchester Police showed just four of the 22 kilograms of heroin taken off the streets last week.

"I've talked to a lot of people in the drug world and they cannot remember anything of this size and scope," said Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard.

Chief Willard says her supplier was Luis Nieves, 33, of Haverhill, Massachusetts. 

"To them this was business and it was at the expense of our citizens," the Chief said.

On Manchester Police intel, Andover police caught up with Jose Casellas of Lawrence, who was traveling with $300,000 worth of heroin and a cutting agent called fentanyl. 

Police say Casellas was using a duplex at 89 Woodland Street in Lawrence as a drug lab.

"I can't believe it, it's crazy," said Jenny Mercado who lives just a few houses down the street.

Detectives found more than 30 pounds of heroin and fentanyl worth millions of dollars along with more cash, weapons, and drug paraphernalia.

"No matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, you never know," Mercado said.

Chief Willard says most those drugs were destined for Manchester, where the demand is high, and therefore, so is the cost.

"I want the public to know it is of epidemic proportions," Chief Willard said. "I don't even think we've stemmed the tide and that concerns me."

No one has been arrested in the shooting of Hardy.

Manchester Police say they had another fatal overdose Sunday night, and arrested someone Monday with seven grams of heroin. They say enforcement can only do so much and that what will really make a difference in this drug battle is better access to treatment. 

Manchester Police say 44 people have died of drug overdoses this year. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us