SEABROOK, N.H. (AP) – Federal officials warned Thursday that methamphetamine dealers are targeting New England citing an October seizure in Seabrook, the largest in the area, as an example of the problem.
They said nearly 12 pounds of the drug with a street value of about $1.5 million was found in a car. Four men were arrested, indicted and face trial in federal court Dec. 12.
The defendants are Artouro Soto-Saavedra, Omar Hervis, Jose Ambriz and Tyler James.
“These are small distribution groups,” U.S. Attorney Tom Colantuono said. “They’re looking at New England as a fresh, open market.”
Officials said meth has not been much a problem in the Northeast, but the bust shows the problem is growing.
Authorities said the confiscated meth was 99 percent pure. They believe it was manufactured in a “superlab” near the Mexican border. The drugs then traveled to Atlanta and into the Northeast.
“We have seen it devastate places like Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska,” Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams said. “It is coming toward us.”
The announcement was timed to coincide with National Amphetamine Awareness Day.
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Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com
AP-ES-11-30-06 1326EST
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