Operation Granite Shield Hits Merrimack; 6 Arrested

MERRIMACK, NH — Six Merrimack residents were arrested last week during a drug sweep that was part of a statewide effort to crack down on opioid sale and possession incidents in New Hampshire. Arrested on Feb. 15, 2018, were Coleman Marcus, 22, of Middlesex Road in Merrimack, on two charges conspiracy to sell a narcotic drug-fentanyl, heroin and possession of a narcotic drug; Joshua Morales, 25, of Elm Street in Merrimack, on two counts of sale a narcotic drug-fentanyl, heroin: Christopher Twardosky, 23, of Elm Street for sale of a narcotic drug-fentanyl, heroin and transportation of a controlled drug; Alexander Twardosky, 24, of Elm Street in Merrimack, for possession of a narcotic drug; Stephen Pierce, 24, of Elm street for possession of a controlled drug-Suboxone and possession of prescription drugs; and Dianna Brooks, 22, of East Ridge Road in Merrimack, for possession of a narcotic drug-heroin/fentanyl. Police were assisted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Street Crime Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the New Hampshire State Police Narcotics Investigations Unit.

Editor's Note: This post was derived from info supplied by the Merrimack Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for New Hampshire’s Patch police reports.

According to Sgt. Cassell of the Merrimack Police Department, three search warrants were executed on Middlesex Road, Elm Street, and East Ridge Road but the operation began weeks before, with undercover officers purchasing heroin/fentanyl, allegedly from Marcus and Morales on two different occasions and Christopher Twardosky once.

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Marcus and Brooks were found on East Ridge Road, allegedly in possession of 10 grams of heroin/fentanyl, with more heroin/fentanyl allegedly taken from his home on Middlesex as well, Cassell alleged.

“Morales, Christopher Twardosky, Stephen Pierce, and Alex Twardosky were all found at Elm Street,” Cassell stated. “Alex was in possession of a hypodermic needle and a quantity of suspected heroin/fentanyl. Christopher was in possession of a quantity of suspected heroin/fentanyl and several prescription pills that are also controlled drugs. Pierce was in possession of a Suboxone strip and several different kinds of prescription drugs despite not having a valid prescription to possess them.”

After the arrests, Coleman was held on $20,000 cash bail and arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South on Feb. 16. The others were released on personal recognizance bail.

“The department is committed to working against the drug epidemic and maintaining the quality of life in Merrimack,” Cassell added. “The community needs to let the department know when they suspect any type of criminal activity is occurring in their neighborhood. ‘If you see something, say something.’”

According to previous posts on Patch, Pierce was arrested in September 2012, in Merrimack for possession of possession of a controlled drug-MDMA. He was also indicted in 2016, on a fentanyl possession charge. Morales was also indicted on a fentanyl possession charge in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South after being arrested in Nashua in August 2015. Alexander Twardosky has been arrested numerous times for theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, felony burglary charges, and possession and transportation of drugs.

Images via Merrimack Police.