MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Police say the shooting of a woman last week led to arrests in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and the seizure of roughly 30 pounds of heroin and the painkiller Fentanyl worth more than $2 million.
The bust was the largest seizure of heroin in New Hampshire state history, according to Manchester police.
Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard said Monday that police launched an investigation after responding to the shooting in the woman's apartment. During the investigation, police found nearly 2,000 grams of heroin and about $200,000 in cash. The woman, 24-year-old Jeannette Hardy, was arrested.
A local, state and federal investigation that followed led to the arrest of a Massachusetts man, Luis Nieves, and the seizure of another 2,000 grams of heroin. Police say Nieves was heading to Hardy's home to sell more heroin.
"There are so many users in Manchester that it's a drug dealer rich environment," said Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard. "This is the place to come and sell drugs."
Finally, a second Massachusetts man was arrested and police seized what they called an "extremely dangerous" batch of heroin/Fentanyl worth about $300,000. They later discovered more of the heroin/Fentanyl combination worth $1.5 million.
Jose C. Casellas, 37, of Lawrence, was arrested last week as a part of the joint law enforcement operation, and charged with multiple drug and gun charges, as well as giving a false name at booking. Police say he dealt drugs in Maine.
He was held on $2 million cash bail and will appear in Lawrence District Court on July 22 for a probable cause hearing.
