MANCHESTER, NH – Multiple agencies working together made two arrests on Tuesday following an eight-month drug investigation, and seized more than 300 grams of heroin (street value more than $37,000) along with approximately $16,500 in cash.
A third man was arrested after he attempted to audiotape police outside the building at the scene of the investigation, where he is the landlord.
Members of the Manchester Police Department Special Enforcement Division, S.W.A.T. team and New Hampshire State Police-Narcotics Investigative Unit started surveillance on the target of the drug investigation on March 3, arresting Christopher Chapman, 33, of Manchester, who was located and arrested outside of Hillsborough County Superior courthouse at 9 a.m. He was taken into custody on an arrest warrant for sale of a controlled drug.
The Manchester Police S.W.A.T. team approached his Lawton Street apartment a short time later and executed a search warrant. They seized 12.8 grams of heroin, street value approximately $1,200, four 8-mg suboxone tablets, street value approximately $32, and more than $16,500 in cash.
Chapman was also charged with possession with intent to distribute; and possession of a controlled drug. He was set to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on March 4, 2015.
Also arrested at the scene of the investigation on Lawton Street was the building owner, Alfredo Valentin, 43, of Manchester. Police say Valentin allegedly became hostile toward officers and that he refused to leave the area. Police said Valentin also allegedly began audio recording a conversation between two police officers involved in the investigation.
New Hampshire requires two-party consent when audio recording individuals, so Valentin was immediately placed into custody and transported to police headquarters.
Valentin was charged with interception and disclosure of telecommunication or oral communication prohibited, a felony, and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail. He is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on April 9, 2015.
The investigation continued throughout the day and a third subject was located and apprehended in Lawrence, Mass. Members of the Massachusetts State Police Drug Task Force assisted in locating and arresting the man who allegedly is involved in distributing large quantities of heroin throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.
The man, whose name was not immediately released by police, was in possession of a fake ID and has yet to be positively identified. Investigators also located and seized more than 300 grams of heroin, worth an estimated street value of $36,000.
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