Crimeline Tips Lead To Drug Charges, Indictment

CONCORD, NH — Tips to the Concord Regional Crimeline led to charges and later, an indictment, against Aaron Counter, 34, of Palm Street in Concord, according to reports. Back in July 2016, officers were sent to Counter’s home for a report of a domestic disturbance at the two-family home. Officers cleared the scene but about a week later, an anonymous tip was sent into the Crimeline alleging that there was “vehicle and foot traffic,” possibly drug related, at the building. A detective noted that Counter lived at the home, according to an affidavit.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and Concord District Court. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

A few months later, in October, another detective told the first detective that a cooperating individual with the department had stated that Matthew Crowley was allegedly selling heroin in the city and that Counter was allegedly his source for the drug, according to a court affidavit. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Concord NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

On Nov. 2, the detective reportedly set up an undercover purchase of heroin allegedly with Crowley. After meeting at an undisclosed location, Crowley allegedly stated that he had to travel to the area of the prison to line up the drugs. Surveillance units followed Crowley to Palm Street where he allegedly scored the heroin and then returned to the undercover officer.

“Upon arrival, Crowley provided me with a clear plastic bag containing a substance consistent with heroin,” the detective alleged. “I later conducted a field test which resulted in a presumptive positive result for heroin.”

Six days later, Concord Police requested usage of a pole camera from the New Hampshire State Police Information Network and installed it on Palm Street.

The next day, Crimeline received another tip about activity at the home, according to the affidavit.

On Nov. 10, the camera was activated and the detective spoke to Counter’s landlord and confirmed he lived at the property, lived alone, and confirmed the door location of Counter’s apartment, the report stated.

The detective also heard from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force which had also received a tip about heroin allegedly being sold from the home. The tipster also stated that Counter was on parole.

The detective spoke to Counter’s parole officer and confirmed information from the tipster. The parole officer also alleged receiving “similar complaints” about Counter. The detective also learned that both Counter and Crowley worked for a Hooksett remodeling and construction company.

During the month of November, the detective allegedly completed four undercover purchases of heroin from Crowley, according to the affidavit, with Crowley being surveilled as he reportedly drove to Palm Street and then back to the undercover officer in the parking lot of the Boutwell’s Bowling Center on North State Street.

During the alleged drug deals, the detective noted, one-party authorization to record the conversations with Crowley was granted by the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office. Other detectives were also monitoring the pole camera live feed as Crowley reportedly drove to Palm Street to allegedly get the drugs, entered Counter’s apartment, and then left, the affidavit noted.

On Nov. 28, a third tip came into the Crimeline about alleged activity at the home, the report noted.

A warrant was then issued for Counter’s arrest.

On Dec. 7, at about 6:30 a.m., Counter was arrested after pulling out of Palm Street onto North State Street near Blossom Hill Cemetery by detectives from the department’s drug enforcement unit. During a pat down, according to an affidavit, a detective allegedly located two twist tied bindles with a powdery white substance that appeared to be heroin and/or fentanyl.

“I asked Counter if it was heroin and he said that it was,” the detective alleged.

Counter, during processing, allegedly admitted to selling drugs in the city and that he had been an addict for some time, snorting it daily, the affidavit alleged. When told that a search warrant was being conducted on his home, he reportedly admitted to having marijuana and possibly heroin in a safe. The marijuana was found by a sergeant, according to the affidavit.

On Dec. 8, Crowley, a homeless man located in the area, was arrested on four counts of sale of controlled drugs as well as driving charges. Also arrested at the same time was Jennifer R. Harding, 37, also homeless, for criminal liability-accomplice to sale of a controlled drug. She was indicted in March 2017, on drug dealing and other charges.

Counter was indicted in Merrimack County Superior Court in April.

Police file photo.