Homeless Man Accused of Running Meth Lab in Tent, Manchester Parking Lot

A homeless man was arrested in Manchester on Tuesday after police said he was caught manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in a store parking lot.

Manchester Police said they identified the dealer, 42-year-old Ralph Mathena, after a lengthy investigation in the area of Center and Broad Streets.

Officers conducted a buy/bust operation on Tuesday, where they said Mathena was attempting to sell several grams of methamphetamine in the Save-A-Lot parking lot on Broad Street.

After Mathena was taken into custody, police said they found several more grams of the drug after searching the man's tent.

Mathena was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession within 1500 ft. of a school, and operating a drug factory.

He was held on $250,000 bail after appearing in Manchester Superior Court on Wednesday.

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