Police in three counties and the U.S. Marshals-New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force arrested 23 felons with a history of heroin use or sales last month.

The warrant sweep – dubbed “Operation Dragon Slayer” – targeted 40 wanted felons and aimed to lock up heroin or other opiate users and dealers “who may pose a risk to New Hampshire communities,” according to police.

Only four of the arrests came in the state’s largest city, Manchester, and none happened in Nashua, though Nashua police announced the arrest of two suspected heroin dealers Wednesday.

The U.S. Marshals Service led the investigation and were assisted by police in Hillsborough, Rockingham and Belknap counties, police said.

More arrests are expected in coming weeks.

Those arrested last month include:

Matthew Stark 25, of Laconia.

Stephen Brue 30, of Laconia.

Eric Lewis 26, of Gilford.

Alex Nieves 35, of Franklin.

Jacqualyn Oliver 26, of Laconia.

Nicholas Cloutier 25, of Manchester.

Allen Irwin 26, of Manchester.

Brendan Francis 23, of Manchester.

Anna Bourque 26, of Manchester.

Adam Jenna 34, of Franklin.

Gina Mackie 39, of Sandown.

David Major 44, of Derry.

Amanda Lee 21, of Hampstead.

Pauline Gaffney 24, of Derry.

Justin Knowles 35, of Hampton.

Adam Stevens 31, of Nottingham.

James Fernekees 48, of Salem.

Ryan Leclair 29, of Hampton.

Mark Schwarz 40, of Hampton.

Matthew Shea 33, of Somersworth.

Karen Boyland 55, of Sunapee.

Justin Cassidy 23, of Henniker.

Taylor Bacon 18, of Hillsborough.

Joseph G. Cote can be reached at 594-6415 or jcote@nashua
telegraph.com. Also, follow Cote on Twitter (@Telegraph_JoeC).