24 Arrested in Manchester Drug Dragnet

A multi-agency drug dragnet that started yesterday has netted 24 people, mostly of Manchester but also from other communities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, on various charges.

According to Manchester Police, the operation began on Corning Road with the arrest of Carlos Cruz, 24, of Manchester (pictured top left) during the early morning hours of April 7, 2015. Detectives, the street crime unit, and SWAT team executed search warrants at his 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,” Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department stated. “Cruz allegedly used the two addresses to sell large quantities of both drugs to multiple people, including the undercover detective.”

Cruz was arrested and charged with one count possession with intent to distribute a controlled drug (felony), one count possession of a controlled drug (felony), falsifying physical evidence (felony), and one count possession of a controlled drug. He was also held on a 72-hour probation/parole violation, so no bail was set. Detectives allegedly seized about $3,000 in cash, 13.8 grams cocaine (value $1,400), 11.5 grams marijuana (value $10) and one single alprazolam tablet during the raid.

Also arrested was Wascar Melo, 23 of Dorchester, MA, (pictured next to Cruz) who was arrested at Castillo’s Belmont Market (422 Belmont St.) in Manchester by members of New Hampshire State Police NIU. Melo was allegedly in possession of almost $15,000 in cash, 50 grams of heroin (street value $5,000) and 17.5 grams of cocaine (street value $3,000), and had two active sale of a controlled drug warrants. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute as a result of the drugs reportedly seized from him today.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Manchester Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

The following people were arrested on outstanding warrants as a result of the investigation:

• Kenny Errico, 25 of Manchester: Three counts of sale of a controlled drug (heroin and cocaine).
• Gregory Lajoie, 37, of Raymond: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Willie Player, 30, of Manchester: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (crack cocaine).
• Keith Haskell, 34, of Goffstown. One count sale of a controlled drug (cocaine).
• Daniel Brignoni, 33, of Manchester: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (cocaine).
• Shanti Jehlicka (Santiago-Martinez), 21, of Manchester: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Brittany Hunt, 25, of Bedford: Three counts sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Jason Johnson, 23, Allenstown (pictured below Cruz): One count sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Brystal Razo, 25, of Derry: One count sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Edward Gallien, 34, of Manchester: Four counts sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Timothy Hickman, 40, of Manchester: Three counts sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Krystal Gallien, 37, of Manchester: One count sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• Ashlie Groulx, 26, of Manchester: Four counts sale of a controlled drug (cocaine and oxycontin).
• Juan Molina, 25, of Manchester: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (oxycontin).
• Daniel Lalanne, 43, of Manchester: One count sale of a controlled drug (heroin).
• James Hall, 51, of Manchester: Two counts sale of a controlled drug (cocaine).
• Ronald Mariano, 48, of Manchester: One count sale of a controlled drug (crack cocaine).
• Katherine Plumpton, 31, of Manchester: One count sale of a controlled drug (oxycontin)
• Christopher Turgeon, 30, of Manchester: Capias, one count possession of oxycontin.
• Hunter Decasto, 21, of Manchester: (No Photo): One count sale of controlled drug (heroin).
• Johnny Bill Young, 31, of Manchester: (No Photo) three counts sale of a controlled drug marijuana).

Law enforcement agencies involved included the Manchester Police Department’s Special Enforcement Division (SED); 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, according to a press statement.