Neighborhood complaints fueled Dover drug busts

Richard M. Folger, Matthew S. Gagnon (Dover Police photos)

DOVER - Friday's announcement of a months-long investigation that netted nearly a dozen drug arrests in the city of Dover specifically targeted street-level dealers and was fueled by residents' complaints of drug activity they'd seen in their neighborhoods firsthand.

"This was more of a quality of life issue," said Dover Police Sgt. Scott Pettingill, who heads up the city's Community Response and Enforcement Unit.

Pettingill, realizing the usefulness of some outside help, called on the Boston DEA office to assist with the ongoing investigations, which he termed "more of a street-level interdiction."

Between the Dover Police Department and DEA, some 15-18 law enforcement personnel were involved in the two-month effort, Pettingill said on Friday.

Among the 11 arrested were Richard M. Folger, 31, of 27 Liberty Circle, Milton, who was charged with felony possession of heroin; and Matthew S. Gagnon, 35, of 3 Russell St., Rochester, who was charged with felony possession of heroin and clonazepam.

Most of the others charged were from Dover.

Pettengill said while the arrests targeted mostly street-level dealers and the amounts of seized drugs were relatively small, some of the busts have "spiraled into other ongoing investigations."

Pettengill said many of the arrests occurred near or in the downtown, but that other neighborhoods were also targeted.

"We're happy with the results, a lot were the result of direct complaints." he said.