WEBSTER — A traffic stop early Wednesday morning led to the arrest of a Worcester man on drug trafficking and operating under the influence charges.
Officer Alex Johnson was patrolling East Main Street at approximately 12:29 a.m. Sept. 10 when he observed a Range Rover SUV driving with a failed inspection sticker and a dark cover over the license plate.
Johnson signaled to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued for over 20 seconds onto Gore Road.
The driver was identified as Andrew Simpson, 47, of Park Ave, Worcester.
While speaking with Simpson, Johnson observed indicators that led him to believe Simpson was under the influence of drugs.
Officers requested Simpson step out of the vehicle to determine if he could continue safely operating.
Simpson became argumentative, refused to exit the vehicle and began reaching around the interior and towards the floorboard.
Sergeant Joseph Reed arrived to assist and Simpson was eventually removed from the vehicle.
Simpson refused to comply with Johnson’s request to conduct roadside assessment tests and instead requested an ambulance.
Simpson was transported to UMASS Webster by Webster EMS.
Upon conducting a search of Simpson’s vehicle, Johnson located a large, clear bag of cocaine in the center console weighing 18.63 grams.
Officers then searched a bag that Simpson tried to take with him from the vehicle and found $661 in cash that was suspected to be from drug distribution proceeds.
Simpson was placed under arrest after being transported to the hospital.
Simpson has an extensive criminal history with just under 80 criminal charges on his record in Massachusetts alone, including drug trafficking and violent felonies committed with knives and firearms.
Simpson is being charged with OUI drugs, trafficking cocaine, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, number plate violation and failed inspection.
