Police arrested 23 people in a drug sweep in Manchester, New Hampshire, early Thursday morning.
The arrests were announced at a press conference on Thursday. The investigation involved Manchester Police, New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department, the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The criminal cases involved the purchase of drugs including cocaine, heroin, crack and prescription drugs. The investigation that led to the arrests began almost a year ago.
Manchester Police Chief David J. Mara said those charged are considered "low level" drug dealers, but the hope is that the arrests will serve as a deterrent to other drug activity in the city. This is the second drug roundup conducted in Manchester since February.
The following invididuals were arrested as part of Thursday's operation:
- Thomas Williams, 33, of 101 Putnam St., Manchester, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Christopher Quijano, 37, of 375 Cedar St., Manchester, was charged with four counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- John Lawver, 22, of 330 Somerville St., Manchester, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Mariah Randall, 20, of 374 Merrimack St., Manchester, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Michael Messina, 54, of 301 Amory St., Manchester, was charged with sale of a controlled drug.
- Arthur Debelis, 52, of 195 Bridge St., Manchester, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Ophelia Burnett, 29, of 65 Log St., Manchester, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Momodu Bah, 32, of 570 Amory St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Natasha Gonzalez, 20, of 482 Granite St., Manchester, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Altagracia Rodriguez, 43, of 482 Granite St., Manchester, was charged with four counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Rose-Marie Ruth Cote, 52, of 159 S. Main St., Manchester, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Theresa Moore, 56, of 455 Union St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Ramon Valdez, 43, of 251 Wilson St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Rhonda Ewing, 46, of 100 Lincoln St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Robin Buckley, 28, of 47 Penacook St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Cheryl Parent, 40, of 69 Cottage Way, Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Linda Lafond, 54, of 181 Woodbury St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
- Nathaniel Davis, 41, of 348 Spruce St., Manchester, was charged with one count of sale of a controlled drug.
Police said these five were also part of the operation but were booked in absentia because they are currently incarcerated on other charges:
- Kenneth Bradford, 37, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Paul Cerullo, 32, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Edgar Caliz, 32, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Julius Lane, 34, was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled drug.
- Tommy Rodgers, 29, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug.
