Woman Arrested for Making Crack Cocaine

(Pelham, New Hampshire) A 50-year-old local woman, Priscilla Champagne, was arrested Thursday for allegedly making and selling crack cocaine at her home.

Detectives began watching Champagne's residence in June after information gathered from other investigations led police to believe she was selling cocaine there, Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher said.

Soon after the investigation began, Fisher said members of the surveillance team observed a large number of people going to and from the home.

"It was indicative of drug activity," Fisher said.

Through further investigation, detectives gained information that Champagne was supplying small amounts of both forms of cocaine to a large amount of local customers as well as people from the Lowell and Dracut, Mass., area.

Champagne has been charged with felony counts of manufacturing crack cocaine, felony sale of cocaine, felony sale of crack cocaine, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor counts of transporting cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Five other people were also arrested in the operation by Pelham Police. Robert Roy, 57, of Pelham; Ezequiel Nieves, 27, of Lawrence, Mass.; Theresa Jutras, 36, of Lowell, Mass.; Richard Ryder, 53, of Lowell, Mass. and Michael Desjardins, 36, of Dracut, Mass. were all released on personal recognizance after arrest. The same applies for Champagne. All have a September 10th court appearance scheduled in Salem District Court.

Personal recognizance, eh? As serious as the charges are, it would seem appropriate for some amount of bail. On a different note, Priscilla Champagne has spooky eyes. They seem to follow you around the room.