DEA, NH Officials Hunting for Former California Man on Carfentanil Charge

MANCHESTER, NH — New Hampshire law enforcement officials and Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force members are hunting for a former California man now located in New Hampshire after a search warrant was issued on his apartment and carfentanil was allegedly found, according to an alert. Police are asking for the public’s help locating Preston Thorpe, 24, of Sentinel Court in Manchester, on a single possession charge. Thorpe is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs around 210 lbs. and has brown hair and brown eyes.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Manchester Police Department and New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

Thorpe, who also uses the alias “P,” has a sleeve style tattoo on his right arm and a large tattoo on his left arm. He is reportedly traveling in an Audi A4 2.0T with a Team Nissan temporary New Hampshire plate 2089050. Police stated in a press alert that he also owns a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer with NH registration 4023461 but it is unknown if he still has access to that vehicle.

Police and the DEA issued a search warrant of Thorpe’s apartment on April 27, 2017, and found that he had allegedly fled the area, possibly heading back to California where he was born and raised. He was last seen earlier that day, according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department.

“Inside, they located trace amount of carfentanil inside the kitchen area as well as a small amount of marijuana,” O’Keefe alleged. “Investigators believe Thrope may have fled the area because the apartment appeared to have been cleaned out prior to their arrival.”

The raid and warrant came just days after three people incurred fatal overdoses in the Queen City while using the drug which an elephant tranquilizer 100 times deadlier than fentanyl.

A nationwide extraditable warrant has been issued for Thorpe in this case.

Thorpe, O’Keefe noted, may be traveling with a woman, Ashley Arbogast, 28, who is 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighs around 156 lbs., and has brown hair and eyes. She also has tattoos on her left arm and hand.

If you know the whereabouts of Thorpe, contact the Manchester NH Police Department at 603-668-8711 or Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040. All tips are anonymous and there is a cash reward available, according to O’Keefe.