NASHUA – Roughly a month after an undercover police detective twice purchased crack cocaine from a local woman allegedly associated with accused drug dealer Timothy Smith, police on Monday took Smith into custody at a local motel in connection with their investigation into the 39-year-old former local man.

Police said officers, who had been called to the south-end Nashua motel for a report of an undesirable person, encountered Smith when he “invited” them into the room, according to Assistant County Attorney Michael Miller, the prosecutor at Smith’s Superior Court bail hearing Tuesday afternoon.

Police said Smith allegedly tried to kick under a bed what appeared to be a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, while police also observed a bag containing a “tan powder” on a shelf “in plain sight,” according to their reports.

Smith was arrested and transported to police headquarters for booking, after which he was jailed overnight pending Tuesday’s hearing.

In all, Smith is charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, second offense; two counts of criminal liability to the conduct of another – sale of crack cocaine; and one count of falsifying physical evidence.

On Tuesday, after entering not-guilty pleas and waiving formal arraignment, Smith appeared with his attorney, Mark Gouthro, at the bail hearing.

Judge Charles Temple granted Miller’s recommendation that Smith be housed on preventive detention, citing his “extensive criminal history” that includes, according to Miller, 10 arrests in Massachusetts for drug possession and five for robberies.

Miller said Smith, who lists an address in Lowell, Massachusetts, as well as a “no fixed address” in Manchester, has accumulated eight probation violations stretching back 20 years. He said 16 of the 22 arrests on Smith’s record occurred within the past 10 years.

“What we have here is a dealer, a profiteer, as well as a user,” Miller said, noting that Miller was allegedly under the influence of drugs when he was arrested.

“It’s apparent he makes at least part of his living selling drugs,” Miller said, adding that Smith had roughly $3,700 in cash on him when arrested.

In supporting his request for preventive detention, Miller said that if Smith were released, “it’s clear he would pose a danger to himself, as well as members of the public.”

But Gouthro told Temple that personal recognizance bail would be more appropriate, as it would allow Smith to immediately get help for what Gouthro called “his issues with substance abuse.

“That needs to be addressed,” Gouthro said, adding that Smith “is willing to do that immediately,” referring to applying for an inpatient drug treatment program.

Since Smith is on parole out of Hillsborough North Superior Court in Manchester, Gouthro said, he would be supervised upon his release. “It would have someone to be accountable to,” Gouthro added.

“He needs treatment … we’re asking the court to allow him to get the treatment he needs,” Gouthro said.

As for the police investigation into Smith, the undercover detective, posing as someone interested in purchasing drugs, contacted a woman police suspected of selling drugs she allegedly bought from Smith.

The detective and the woman arranged to meet at the woman’s apartment, where she then called “her supplier,” police said.

Meanwhile, several undercover officers who were conducting surveillance from outside the residence observed a vehicle arrive, police said. Using booking photos they kept on file, police said they were able to identify Smith as the driver of the car. He drove off a short time later, police said.

The next day, the undercover detective contacted the woman to arrange another drug purchase, police said, which was conducted as scheduled.

Detectives working the case developed additional information that would lead to Smith’s arrest on Monday, police said.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DeanS.