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Raposo claimed he was only holding the drugs for Pimentel, who actually owned the drugs.

Cocaine is usually sold by the gram, with 28 grams to an ounce, said Seabrook police Sgt. Mark Preston, who was a member of the Attorney General's Drug Task Force earlier in his career. The term 8-ball is used to describe 31/2 grams or one-eighth of an ounce of cocaine, he said.

Weaponry found at the scene consisted of a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, four rifles and two knives. It was information on the weaponry that caused Manthorn to want the Seacoast's Tactical Assault Law Enforcement Team to enter the house first, he said.

Manthorn said neither law enforcement officers nor the defendants were injured during the bust, although the house at 1 Maple Ridge Road did incur some damage. Manthorn had little sympathy yesterday for those who were upset at the damage done to the building during the raid.

Manthorn threw down the gauntlet to drug dealers in town, promising this is only the beginning of his campaign against drugs as he takes over as Seabrook's new police chief.

"This is a wake-up call," Manthorn told selectmen during their televised meeting. "The gloves have come off. We're stopping the game playing. There's more to come, and they know about it on the street."

After the meeting, Manthorn said he hopes to run the Police Department in accordance with the values established by the U.S. Marine Corps, of which he is a veteran. Using those values, Manthorn said, he hopes to bring back the public's respect for the Seabrook Police Department.

Manthorn said the home at 1 Maple Ridge Road is separated into three apartments. He is planning to investigate the legal status of the three apartments, which may defy the town's zoning regulations, he said.

Manthorn said the inhabitants in the other two apartments were taken into custody Tuesday night, but they were held only long enough for police to determine they were not involved in the alleged distribution of illegal drugs.

Unless bail can be made, the two suspects will be held pending their probable cause hearing set for Feb. 11. Frasier told both defendants that they would be allowed another bail hearing once they acquired legal counsels.

Detective Scott Mendes added police are still investigating Raposo's immigration status, believing he may be in the country illegally. Both men speak Portuguese as their first language. If Raposo's bail is met, Frasier stipulated he may not be released if he is found to be in the United States illegally.

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