DEA announces new operation, officials focused on methamphetamine, fentanyl in Manchester area

Originally published by WMUR9

MANCHESTER, N.H. —
The DEA announced a new strategy on Wednesday in an attempt to reduce drug use and overdoses. It came as a local police department warned the public about a deadly fentanyl mixture.

The new initiative called Operation Engage does not require funding to be tied to a certain drug. A previous program focused on opioids and while that is still a priority, officials with the DEA said the drug threats keep changing.

Operation Engage will allow local field divisions of the DEA to focus on the drugs most threatening to their regions. In the Manchester area, that is fentanyl and methamphetamine. Officials said cartels are targeting fentanyl users with the methamphetamine.

“Now they’re taking pills like Adderall and they are using nothing but crystal methamphetamine to look like an Adderall,” DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jon DeLena said. “If cartels are making a business decision to make Adderall pills out of crystal methamphetamine, they’re targeting the children of our communities.”

According to the Office of New Hampshire’s Chief Medical Examiner, 409 people died of drug overdoses in 2020, 52 involved methamphetamines, the same as in 2019 and an increase from 22 methamphetamine-involved deaths in 2018.

Officials at the Pelham Police Department said they have seen an influx of methamphetamines and warned the public of a deadly fentanyl mixture after a Massachusetts man was indicted on six federal drug charges.

Authorities believed the drugs were fentanyl but testing in New Hampshire revealed a deadly mixture that included a sedative used on animals.

“If someone is playing around and they’re trying fentanyl, or they have been using fentanyl and they think they’re getting a certain product from a certain dealer, this potentially might be this deadly product that is now out on the street,” said Capt. Anne Perriello from the Pelham Police Department.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, the Pelham Police Department has an officer dedicated to drug treatment and prevention available through their non-emergency line at (603) 635-2411.

Posted By

Share This:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on telegram
Telegram
Share on reddit
Reddit
More News