DEA Warrant For Drug Distribution Set Off Multi-Hour Stand Off

MANCHESTER, NH - Authorities have released additional information in connection with the incident at 1454 Union Street in Manchester on May 28th.

U.S. Marshals went to the address to arrest Benjamin Bennett, 41 from Concord, NH.

Bennett was the subject of a federal arrest warrant that was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force. He had been charged in a sealed complaint with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute according to acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley.

The complaint, which has now been unsealed, alleged that on March 4, 2021, Bennett was driving a vehicle that was stopped by the New Hampshire State Police in the Littleton area. Bennett was arrested for operating without a license and being a habitual offender. A later search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of distributable quantities of suspected methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl.

When approached by Deputy Marshals at the Union Street residence, Bennett is believed to have fired a weapon at the Deputy Marshals. Representatives of the Manchester Police Department and other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. When Manchester Police officers arrived additional shots were fired from inside the house.

Manchester police patrol officers immediately set up a perimeter, and people in the neighborhood were asked to shelter in place.

Negotiators communicated with Bennett for hours until they lost communication mid-afternoon. SWAT units deployed an irritant in the house hoping to flush out Bennett but there was no response.

A drone was eventually deployed inside the residence and Bennett was discovered deceased in the basement with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

An autopsy was performed and verified that Bennett died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“This matter demonstrates the dangers that our brave federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues face each day,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley. “I am grateful to the Manchester Police, the United States Marshals Service, and all of the other law enforcement agencies who responded and assisted in this matter. Thanks to their professionalism and caution, no civilians or members of law enforcement officers were harmed during this incident.”

In addition to the United States Marshals Service and the Manchester Police Department, the following agencies also assisted in responding to this incident: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Fire Department, and American Medical Response.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news