New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster, Tuftonboro Police Chief Andrew Shagoury, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration – Manchester Division, and Colonel Christopher J. Wagner of the New Hampshire State Police, jointly announce the indictment and arrest of Melissa Ford, age 27, of Ossipee, and Andrew Garland, age 21, of Effingham, for Acts Prohibited relating to the sale and possession of the controlled drugs heroin and fentanyl.

On January 27, 2017, Ford and Garland were indicted by the Carroll County Grand Jury on charges alleging Acts Prohibited. Both Ford and Garland are charged with Sale of a Controlled Drug, Death Resulting. Specifically, the indictments allege that on September 29, 2016, Andrew Garland did knowingly dispense a combination of fentanyl and heroin to Melissa Ford, who then dispensed this quantity of drugs to Joshua Fournier, who died from ingesting them. Garland was also indicted separately for the sale of fentanyl/heroin, possession of fentanyl/heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana.

The charge of Acts Prohibited, Death Resulting carries with it a possible maximum sentence of life with the possibility of parole in state prison.

These indictments came after a four month joint investigation by the Tuftonboro Police Department and the DEA's Manchester Office, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General and the New Hampshire State Police Department's Narcotics and Investigations Unit. Additional assistance was provided by several local police departments, including the Carrol County Sheriff's Office, and the Ossipee Police Department.

"Anytime there is a loss of life involving a drug overdose it is a tragic event; but even more so in this case given the young age of the victim," said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. "Those suffering from the disease of fentanyl and heroin addiction need access to treatment and recovery. But, those responsible for distributing these lethal drugs like fentanyl and heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute this poison."

"While the need for treatment, rehabilitation, and education to combat drug addiction is paramount, we must also hold dealers accountable for selling drugs that kill," said Attorney General Joseph A. Foster. "Over the past year, the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Hampshire State Police presented joint trainings for law enforcement agencies state-wide to better investigate opioid deaths starting as soon as 911 is called. I am pleased to report today's arrests are a direct result of that training, and other great work conducted by these agencies. I am committed to continue holding fentanyl dealers accountable for the deaths they cause, and for anyone who makes selling drugs their business of choice."

It is anticipated that Ford and Garland will be arraigned in the Carroll County Superior Court tomorrow morning, February 2, 2017.