In October 2024, the Newport Police Department, Claremont Police Department, and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office were awarded grant funding from the New Hampshire Department of Safety for the Substance Abuse Reduction Initiative (also known as Granite Shield).
During the month of November, these agencies worked with other state and federal law enforcement partners including the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center, the New Hampshire State Police Narcotics Investigation Unit, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to conduct a series of drug trafficking investigations in the greater Newport and Claremont area. As a result of these investigations, a total of 20 suspects were arrested for felony level drug offenses including Sale of Controlled Drugs, Conspiracy to Commit Sale of Controlled Drugs, Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Deliver, and Possession/Transportation of Controlled Drugs. Investigators searched four residences and three vehicles pursuant to court authorized warrants. A total of approximately 571 grams of suspected fentanyl, 167 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 62 grams of suspected cocaine, 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 67 prescription narcotics, and 3 firearms were seized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, quantities of as little as 2 milligrams (.002 grams) of fentanyl can cause fatal overdose. The Newport Police Department, Claremont Police Department and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office are continuing these investigations along with their state and federal law enforcement partners. Additional arrests and charges are anticipated in the coming weeks as evidence already collected is processed.
