MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA — Police have arrested six people and seized more than 320 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of fentanyl since January as part of an ongoing narcotics enforcement operation.
The Middleborough Police Department announced the results of its proactive enforcement efforts targeting drug trafficking and related criminal activity on May 26.
The investigations also resulted in the recovery of an assault-style firearm and large-capacity magazines, according to Chief Robert Ferreira Jr.
The cases involved patrol officers, detectives, narcotics investigators and regional law enforcement partnerships working together to identify and disrupt drug distribution in the community.
“This work is time-intensive and resource-intensive. It often involves long-term investigations, surveillance, search warrants, traffic enforcement and coordinated follow-up efforts,” Ferreira said.
On Jan. 9, officers executed a narcotics search warrant involving Wesley Farinacci and seized both cocaine and fentanyl.
Farinacci was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
On Jan. 13, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested Mara Whitman after approximately 35 grams of cocaine were located in her possession.
Whitman was charged with trafficking in cocaine, 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams.
On Feb. 17, officers executed a narcotics search warrant involving Steven Irving.
Irving fled from officers during the operation.
A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of approximately 40 grams of cocaine, an assault rifle and large-capacity feeding devices.
An arrest warrant was issued charging Irving with trafficking in cocaine, 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams; possession of an undetectable firearm; possession of an assault weapon; and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.
On March 9, officers located Irving in Middleborough.
Irving again fled on foot before being apprehended by officers.
During the arrest, officers recovered approximately 10 grams of cocaine and 7 grams of fentanyl.
Additional charges included possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, subsequent offense, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, subsequent offense.
On April 5, officers arrested David Dankers after recovering approximately 70 grams of cocaine and 12 grams of fentanyl.
Dankers was charged with trafficking in cocaine, 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams, and trafficking in fentanyl, 10 grams or more.
Dankers did not show for court and a warrant was issued.
On May 3, officers attempted to stop and arrest Dankers, who fled in a motor vehicle before crashing into a parked vehicle.
Additional charges included failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of property damage.
On May 13, Dankers was arrested on two outstanding warrants by Middleborough police in Foxborough.
During the arrest, approximately 60 grams of cocaine were seized.
Additional trafficking charges were filed by the Foxborough Police Department for trafficking in cocaine, 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams.
On May 4, Garret Murphy was arrested after officers located approximately 86 grams of cocaine in his possession.
Murphy was charged with trafficking in cocaine, 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams.
On May 19, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested James Bako-Berry after recovering approximately 28 grams of cocaine and approximately 33 grams of fentanyl.
Bako-Berry was charged with trafficking in cocaine, 18 grams or more, and trafficking in fentanyl, 10 grams or more.
