Police were conducting surveillance around 10:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 when they saw what seemed to be a hand-to-hand drug deal in the parking lot of an IHOP at 95 Main Street in Tewksbury, according to the Tewksbury Police Department.
The drug deal was stalled when police intervened, stopping the hand off and noting that one of the involved parties, who was staying at a nearby motel, had briefly interacted with a pair of people inside a car. Police identified the car's occupants as 40-year-old Felix Rodriguez, of Lawrence, and 38-year-old Enyer Santana-Ferreira, also of Lawrence. Both were arrested at the scene.
More than 42 grams of fentanyl, 12 grams of crack cocaine, and $3,000 in cash were seized while Rodriguez and Santana-Ferreira were taken into custody.
Rodriguez was charged with:
- Trafficking more than 36 grams of fentanyl
- Distribution of a class A substance,
- Conspiracy to violate drug laws,
- Possession of a class B substance with intent to distribute
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
Santana-Ferreira was charged with:
- Trafficking more than 36 grams of fentanyl
- Distribution of a class A substance,
- Conspiracy to violate drug laws,
- Possession of a class B substance with intent to distribute
- Furnishing false ID information to law enforcement
One more person was involved, who will be summoned to court for a charge of possession of fentanyl at a yet-to-be determined date.
Rodriguez and Santana-Ferreira will be arraigned on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Lowell District Court.
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