Granite Shield nets drug arrests of two Dover man

Staff reports 2:36 p.m.


Granite Shield nets drug arrests of two Dover man

William Copeland, left, and Joseph Villone III (Police mugshots)

DOVER - The Strafford County Sheriff's Office today announced the arrests of two Dover men as a result of the anti-drug enforcement effort known as Granite Shield.

The arrests were made on Thursday as part of a joint investigation and subsequent search warrant involving the Dover Police Department.

Joseph Villone III, 47, of 2 Westgate Drive Apt. 6, was charged with trafficking fentanyl, while William Copeland, 48, of 84 Knox Marsh Road, Apt. 15, was charged with crack cocaine possession.

Both were released on personal recognizance pending their arraignment later this month.

The investigation was initiated as a result of concerned citizens' complaints to the Dover Police Department about unwanted drug activity. If anyone has information related to drug activity in the county, the Strafford County Drug Task Force can be contacted at 603-516-7145.