Major drug and weapons haul uncovered in Manchester apartment
Manchester law enforcement executed a search warrant Thursday at a residence on Spruce Street and recovered a substantial quantity of suspected narcotics, three handguns and an amount of cash, authorities said. A 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation and now faces multiple charges, including alleged sale of a controlled drug.
According to Manchester police, officers located and seized:
- More than 700 grams of suspected heroin/fentanyl.
- More than 100 grams each of suspected methamphetamine and suspected crack cocaine.
- 17 grams of suspected cocaine.
- Three handguns and a quantity of cash.
The suspect, identified by police as 38-year-old Matthew Stark, was arrested after officers stopped a vehicle and found an outstanding warrant. Police say the traffic stop led to the arrest and was tied to the Spruce Street search.
“Police say they arrested Matthew Stark, 38, while conducting a traffic stop, and he faces multiple charges, including sale of a controlled drug.”
How officers connected the stop to the Spruce Street search
Authorities said information developed by Manchester investigators pointed them to the apartment on Spruce Street. A search warrant was obtained and executed, and detectives report recovering the large quantities of suspected narcotics packed and ready for distribution, along with firearms and cash commonly associated with alleged drug trafficking.
Officials did not release additional details about how long the probe had been underway or whether additional arrests are expected, but described the seizure as a significant interdiction that removed a large volume of dangerous drugs from the community.
Local context and public-safety implications
The scale of the seizure — particularly the amount of suspected fentanyl and heroin — is notable for Manchester. Across New Hampshire, law enforcement agencies have reported fentanyl as an increasingly dominant driver of overdose deaths and drug-related arrests. Large, street-level quantities of pressed opioids raise concerns about potential distribution networks operating within the region.
Police said the case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information tied to the Spruce Street residence or the events leading up to the arrest is asked to contact Manchester police.
| Item seized | Reported amount |
|---|---|
| Suspected heroin/fentanyl | More than 700 grams |
| Suspected methamphetamine | More than 100 grams |
| Suspected crack cocaine | More than 100 grams |
| Suspected cocaine | 17 grams |
| Handguns | Three |
| Cash | Not specified |
This seizure follows a trend in which local police, often working with state and county partners, have sought to disrupt supply at points of sale and distribution. For residents, that means more visible law-enforcement activity in some neighborhoods and a continued emphasis by officials on reporting suspicious activity.
Charges in the case include sale of a controlled drug and related offenses. No further details about court dates or bond were provided by Manchester police at the time of the report.
