Laconia police, state and federal partners arrest two in long investigation; Beaman Street home condemned

LACONIA, N.H. — Two people were taken into custody after an 11-month investigation into illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking, and the residence at 24 Beaman Street was condemned for safety violations, Laconia Police Chief Steve Canfield told the Laconia Police Commission on Aug. 20.

Canfield said the operation executed search and arrest warrants early the previous morning and that one person was charged with 10 counts of felony possession of firearms and narcotics-trafficking offenses. A second suspect was arrested on charges including resisting arrest and multiple bench warrants. "This is some really great work by our detective unit, in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office task force, our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force," Canfield said.

Nut graf: The arrests capped a multiagency investigation involving state and federal partners and regional tactical teams; the commission heard the department expects the condemnation to keep the property off-limits pending building- and fire-safety actions.

Canfield told commissioners the operation involved two separate SWAT teams and assistance from a regional SWAT team and personnel from another municipal police department. "We conducted the search and arrest warrants yesterday morning ... 2 people were taken into custody from that operation," he said.

Commission discussion and public comment included praise for detectives' work but no formal motions or policy changes resulted from the briefing. The commission packet and the chief's remarks did not provide defendant names, the specific charges beyond the counts referenced, or court dates.

Ending: The commission did not vote on additional enforcement steps; Canfield said the condemnation by the city code enforcement and the fire department prevents reoccupancy of the residence while safety issues are addressed.