Ten Taken Into Custody For Drug Violations

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Ten individuals were arrested by federal, state and local authorities, announced United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.  

            The arrests are the result of a year-long investigation conducted by state and federal authorities into allegations of marijuana, cocaine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) distribution in New Hampshire.

            Based on intelligence gathered by law enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Hampshire State Police conducted surveillance, undercover purchases of drugs, consensual monitoring of controlled purchases, and judicially approved wiretaps to identify and arrest the following individuals in connection with the distribution network.

(1)        Alkis Nakos, age 35, of 366 Arah Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(2)        Kosmas Koustas, age 35, of 1465 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(3)        Charles Fowle, age 35, of 267 Waverly Street, Hooksett, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(4)        Frank Fowle, age 36, of 330 Milford Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(5)        Christopher Ranfos, age 36, of 241 Boutwell Road, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(6)        Kristopher Venturini, age 35, of 374 Thornton Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(7)        Marc Guillemette, age 37, of 255 Waverly Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b);

(8)        John Horne, Jr., age 32, of 301 Prescott Road, Epping, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and use of a communication facility to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b); and

(9)        Jonathan Venturini, age 32, of 516 Notre Dame Avenue, Manchester, New Hampshire, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and aiding and abetting the distribution of marijuana, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

(10)  Jonathan Handschumaker, was arrested and for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, distribution of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and aiding and abetting the distribution of marijuana, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

            Search warrants and seizures were executed in connection with the investigation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, $85,000 in United States currency, paraphernalia associated with drug distribution such as digital scales and money counting machines, and firearms including a machine gun with a silencer, numerous handguns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester, New Hampshire, Police Department.  The arrests consisted of a joint federal, state and local effort.  Members of the arrest teams included the: (1) Drug Enforcement Administration; (2) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement; (4) United States Marshals Service; (5) New Hampshire State Police; (6) the Manchester, New Hampshire, Police Department; and (7) New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement.