MANCHESTER, NH – Four people were arrested June 5, charged with possession of illegal drugs after a report of possible drug activity at the Comfort Inn on Queen City Avenue, which spilled over into the Hess Gas Station parking lot across the street.
At approximately 10:20 a.m., Detective Derek Sullivan, a member of the department’s Special Enforcement Division observed a 2005 Chevy Malibu pull into the Hess Gas Station, 311 Queen City Ave., which is located across the street from the hotel. According to the police report, Detective Sullivan watched two people who were seated inside the vehicle in a remote area away from the service station. Det. Sullivan later identified the driver as Brandon Swanson, 22, of Manchester. A 28-year-old female passenger, also of Manchester, who was present was ultimately not charged by police.
Det. Sullivan observed that the female passenger was “looking around repeatedly” as if she were looking for someone.
A short time later, a 1994 Mercedes pulled up to one of the gas pumps and two men exited the car. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Joshua Reynolds, 24, of Bedford, walked toward the driver’s side of the Malibu and appeared to Det. Sullivan to engage in illegal activity with Swanson. At the same time, the female passenger exited the Malibu and walked past Reynolds before entering the store, then exited the store and got into the Mercedes.
Two passengers from the Mercedes remained in the vehicle during the alleged drug transaction between Swanson and Reynolds. Detective Sullivan, who works in a plain clothes capacity, requested a marked patrol unit to the scene to conduct a drug stop after he watched Reynolds return to his own vehicle and sit in the drivers seat without pumping gas into the car. Reynolds’ passengers were identified as Brandon Corriveau, 29 of Manchester, and Shannon McFarland, 26 of Manchester.
Officer Warren Tanner arrived on scene in a marked patrol unit and pulled up to the Malibu and spoke with Swanson, who was now alone in his vehicle. Swanson was found to be wanted on a warrant out of Derry and was taken into custody. A search incident revealed he was in possession of .25 grams of heroin. Swanson was charged with possession of a controlled drug and appeared in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on June 8.
Detective Sullivan spoke with Reynolds as he exited the store. He realized Corriveau was still inside the store and also noticed two females were seated in the rear of the Mercedes. He recognized one of the females as the passenger of the Malibu moments before.
Sergeant Richard Brennan pulled into the parking lot to assist in the investigation and spoke with the two females in the Mercedes. Meanwhile Corriveau exited the store and walked toward the Mercedes where he left his backpack.
Det. Sullivan located several prescription pills inside of the backpack, two Schedule II drugs, Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine. A search of his person revealed .93 grams of heroin, which was tucked in the brim of his baseball cap. The detective also went into the store and checked an area the clerk felt Corriveau had attempted to conceal an item. He discovered 8.5 grams of heroin in the back of a candy box in an area Corriveau had been standing prior to leaving the store.
Corriveau was arrested and charged with two counts possession of a controlled drug; falsifying physical evidence; and possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute. He appeared in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on June 8.
Reynolds was arrested and charged with: possession of a controlled drug (heroin). He was released on $3,000 personal recognizance bail and was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on July 9.
McFarland was in possession of 32 20 mg. amphetamine pills and a small quantity of marijuana. She was Charged with: possession of a controlled drug. She was slated to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on July 9 and was also released on personal recognizance bail ($1,000).
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