SOUTHBRIDGE, MA — A man was arrested on drug trafficking charges following an undercover narcotics investigation on June 1, 2026.
Members of the Detective Division were conducting undercover narcotics enforcement operations at locations that have been the focus of numerous narcotics investigations over the past eight months, according to police.
During the operation, detectives observed behavior and activity they recognized as being consistent with possible narcotics-related activity.
Detectives observed a male, later identified as Gerard Shonbeck, enter a convenience store before briefly entering a parked vehicle and then quickly departing the area on foot.
Based on their observations, detectives requested assistance from patrol officers to make contact with Shonbeck.
Officers located him on a nearby walking trail and attempted to conduct an investigation.
During the encounter, Shonbeck became combative and non-compliant with officers’ commands, police said.
As a result of the investigation, approximately 22 grams of suspected cocaine packaged for distribution, an amount of suspected crack cocaine packaged for distribution, multiple denominations of U.S. currency separated into individual stacks and other items commonly used for packaging narcotics were recovered.
Gerard Shonbeck, 38, of Southbridge, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for booking.
Shonbeck was charged with possession with intent to distribute class B crack cocaine (subsequent offense) and trafficking in cocaine (18 grams to 36 grams).
Shonbeck was held pending his arraignment in court or his release on bail.
