21 arrested in region in drug sting | Local News

Coined Operation Western Alliance, the effort involved police departments in Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Swanzey, Winchester and Keene, along with the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office, State Police in Vermont and New Hampshire, and several state agencies.

A news release from the sheriff’s office said the operation’s goal was to investigate and arrest people distributing heroin, fentanyl and opioid-based narcotics, along with other illicit drugs. During the month-long operation, police seized more than $20,000 in U.S. currency, one firearm and “significant quantities of Fentanyl and Cocaine, along with marijuana and other controlled drugs,” according to the release.

In addition to the 21 people listed below, the news release says “several more arrests are expected as a result of this endeavor,” and further joint efforts between local, state and federal agencies are planned.

Police arrested the following on the listed charges:

Heather Wentworth, 40, of Hinsdale, burglary

Tyler Saunders, 35, of Brattleboro, two counts of possession of crack cocaine

Paightlin Bergeron, 25, of Keene, warrant: trespassing

Amanda Moore, 36, of Hinsdale, warrant: conspiracy to commit burglary

Geoffrey Morse, 39, of Winchester, possession of crack cocaine

Michael Duval, 20, of Keene, warrant: failure to appear

Samantha Willard, 26, of Winchester, warrant: simple assault

Cole Bratton, 26, of Swanzey, warrant: drug sales

Edward Blanchard, 60, of Hinsdale, warrant: reckless conduct/vehicular assault

Natasha Rousseau, 30, of Keene, warrant: criminal trespass

John Melia, 61, of Hinsdale, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration

Homer Parker, 49, of Athens, Vt., warrant: two counts of sale of a controlled drug, one count of possession of drugs

Gina Taylor, 43, of Hinsdale, warrant: possession of drugs

Elizabeth Delisle, 25, of Westmoreland, warrant: sale of a controlled drug

Andrew Martz, 29, of Keene, warrant: possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; warrant: possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute; warrant: two counts of possession of a controlled drug

Adam Martz, 27, of Brattleboro, possession of fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine, false information to a police officer

of Keene, warrant: failure to appear-contempt; warrant: possession of a controlled drug

Samantha Lawson, 27, of Winchester, warrant: violation of probation

Seamus Batdorf-Dwyer, 27, of Keene, possession of a controlled drug

Michael Racine, 46, of Winchester, possession of a controlled drug

of Hinsdale, possession of a controlled drug