WEBSTER, MA — A traffic stop for an inspection sticker violation led to the arrest of a man on drug trafficking charges early Tuesday morning.
Officer Shane Murray conducted the motor vehicle stop on Park Avenue at approximately 1:46 a.m.
Sergeant Sean Ebbeling and Officer David Brooks joined Murray at the scene, where officers observed two known individuals in the vehicle.
The driver, Ryan Hassett, 34, of Webster, had a suspended driver’s license and the passenger also did not have a valid license, resulting in the vehicle having to be towed.
Hassett was placed under arrest and secured in a police cruiser while officers continued their investigation.
During the investigation and search of the vehicle, Ebbeling located a rubber container that was full of crack cocaine and fentanyl, along with various other drug paraphernalia.
Upon transporting Hassett back to Webster Police Headquarters for booking, Murray located more crack cocaine that was concealed on Hassett’s person.
While officers were booking Hassett, Murray reviewed camera footage from the prisoner area of his police cruiser.
Murray noticed that after Hassett was placed in the police cruiser, he was able to reach into his underwear and retrieve three clear baggies with a white substance inside.
Hassett was observed on camera passing the three baggies through a small metal grate in the prisoner compartment in an attempt to conceal them.
Officers proceeded to Murray’s cruiser and located the baggies, which were full of more fentanyl and crack cocaine.
The total weight of the fentanyl was approximately 21 grams.
Hassett was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession of class A drug, possession of class B drug and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Police said Hassett had 96 criminal charges on his Massachusetts record prior to being arrested.
