WORCESTER — Worcester Police Department’s Vice Squad officers arrested five individuals on charges of fentanyl trafficking following a raid on a Vale St address early Tuesday morning.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., officers executed a search warrant at the residence, suspecting it was involved in the distribution of the potent synthetic opioid.
Upon entry, several people were detained while the search was conducted.
The search yielded a significant quantity of fentanyl, alongside a smaller amount of cocaine, packaging materials, cash, and digital scales, indicative of drug trafficking activity.
Arrested at the scene were Nelson Michael, 34, of Vale St; Felix Mejias-Ramirez, 30, of Main St; Horacio Vasquez, 28, of Constitution Ave; Wilfredo Pagan-Rivera, 40, of Florence St; and Paola Soliber Ortiz, 33, also of Vale St.
All five individuals are facing charges of Trafficking in Fentanyl over 200 Grams and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.
The arrests mark a significant blow to the local illicit drug trade, as fentanyl continues to contribute to the opioid crisis plaguing many communities.