Two men were arrested for fentanyl trafficking during a routine traffic stop in Andover, authorities said. Trooper Matthew Demos of the Massachusetts State Police, while on patrol on Route 93, pulled over a silver Nissan Altima lacking a valid inspection sticker just past 6:30 p.m. on March 28, according to the MSP official reports.
The driver, Jeison Arias-Guerrero, 30, of Jamaica Plain and his passenger, Victor Manuel-Santos, 29, of Dorchester were both found to be without valid driver's licenses leading to the calling of a tow truck to remove their vehicle. It was during an inventory search of the Altima that troopers discovered several baggies suspected to contain Fentanyl, weighing in at 115 grams, numerous cell phones, and, a large sum of cash.
Arias-Guerrero is now facing charges for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to violate drug law, and for not having an inspection sticker. Meanwhile, Manuel-Santos has been charged with trafficking in fentanyl and conspiracy to violate drug law. Following their arrest, both men were taken to the Andover Barracks where their bail was set at a whopping $100,000 each.
The suspects were slated for a hearing in Lawrence District Court on the aforementioned charges. This significant drug bust comes as the state continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, which has claimed numerous lives across Massachusetts. Trafficking substances like fentanyl is a serious offense, with law enforcement agencies constantly on alert to intercept operations that put dangerous drugs on the streets.
