NEW BEDFORD — Patrol officers arrested two men during a routine patrol after observing a drug transaction in the south end of the city.
The arrests took place Saturday, March 1, when Sgt. Jonathan Lagoa was patrolling Acushnet Avenue between Blackmer Street and Delano Street.
Sgt. Lagoa identified the men as Joshua Travassos, 30, of 47 Acushnet Ave., and Keith Fleming, 38, of 57 Briggs St., #1.
As officers approached, Travassos reportedly struggled with Sgt. Lagoa, and both men attempted to discard items they were holding.
Additional patrol units assisted in securing the suspects. A search conducted afterward revealed more than 50 grams of fentanyl and 8 grams of cocaine in their possession.
Both men were taken into custody and charged with trafficking more than 36 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws.
Travassos, who was found with $1,186 in cash, faces additional charges as a repeat offender due to a 2018 conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Bristol Superior Court.
Fleming had $140 on him. The cash was seized as part of the charges.
