By Max Sullivan Seacoast Online

NORTH HAMPTON — Three alleged drug dealers from Massachusetts were arrested on felony drug charges Wednesday afternoon, two allegedly attempting to flee in a high speed car chase.

The three – Fernando Silia, 19, Luis Moreta, 21, and Lexis Nevarez, 20 – were arrested as a result of a joint drug investigation by New Hampshire State Police Mobile Enforcement Team and the FBI’s Safe Street Taskforce. Police had stopped their car in Hampton and were arresting Silia for drug possession when Moreta, the driver, allegedly sped off with Nevarez, leading police to North Hampton where authorities say they crashed the car off North Road.

Police found the car in the woods near Sagamore Golf Course and searched for Moreta and Nevarez with the help of the state police Air Wing, and they took them into custody at approximately 4 p.m. The three, all from Lawrence, Massachusetts, each face one count of sale of a controlled drug – conspiracy. They were released on personal recognizance bail and are scheduled to be arraigned in Rockingham County Superior Court on June 28. FBI spokeswoman Kristen Setera said they are facing state charges.

Silia also faces one count of possession of controlled drugs with intent to sell; Moreta one count each of disobeying an officer, felony reckless conduct, reckless operation and resisting arrest. Nevarez faced one additional count of resisting arrest. Police also said they are investigating whether the vehicle was stolen.

Moreta, according to police, drove fast and recklessly up Route 1 from the Hampton parking lot where the car was first stopped, so much that Trooper Jeffrey Costa discontinued his pursuit due to the risk it posed to the public. Residents said, including on social media, they saw multiple cruisers speeding on Route 1.

Cheryl Oiler, who lives on the corner of Birch Road and North Road where the crash occurred, said she heard a loud noise around 2:30 p.m. that she learned was the car going off the road, skid marks visible in the roadway. She came outside her home to see what happened and was told by an officer to stay indoors.

Police blocked off North Road at its intersections with Route 1 and Birch Road, congregating cruisers at the crash site where Silia waited in custody while the search for Moreta and Nevarez went on. When Moreta and Nevarez were caught, they were escorted to cruisers within 10 minutes of each other at the Birch Road intersection, and the car was towed by 4:30 p.m. as the scene began to clear. It was shortly after that state police Lt. John Hennessey said there was no danger to the public.

State police deferred all further inquiries to the FBI Safe Streets Taskforce. Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh said the incident is unrelated to a suspect wanted in connection with a burglary and attempted carjacking Tuesday in Rye.

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