A high school girls basketball coach has been charged with dealing cocaine following an investigation of what police called a major drug operation.

Mark Wendell, 36, was charged with one count of selling cocaine. Until Wednesday, Wendell was the varsity girls basketball coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover.

Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said that Wendell was arrested as part of an investigation that also led to the arrest of Kenneth Marchacos, 38, of Rochester, N.H.

"They were mid- to upper-level drug dealers here in New Hampshire," Young said.

Young said police investigated the men for months and went undercover. When Marchacos was arrested, police seized 500 OxyContin pills, 14 ounces of cocaine, 8 pounds of marijuana, an ounce of Ecstasy and an ounce of heroin, along with four rifles and $25,000 in cash.

"Certainly, the volume is significant, but when you couple that with OxyContin pills, as well as a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy, these were certainly individuals who could traffic many types of illicit drugs," Young said.

Police said most of the drugs, weapons and cash were found at a home in Rochester on Portland Street, where police said Marchacos was living. Marchacos was charged with intent to sell and is being held in jail.

Wendell is out on bail. The school said he resigned on Wednesday, saying it was for personal reasons. He also was able to say goodbye to the team. Hours after he left, the principal learned of the drug charges.

Police said Wendell didn't involve any of his players in drug activity. Wendell did not teach at the school.

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