In a concerted effort to clamp down on the illegal narcotics trade, the Salem MA Police Department has wrapped up a month-long investigation targeting drug sales around Margin and Canal streets. The probe, which involved the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and officers from the Community Impact Unit (CIU), focused on identifying those supplying drugs to the city's vulnerable, unhoused population while also stepping up outreach efforts for individuals grappling with substance use disorder.
The investigation gained momentum with the issuance of several arrest and search warrants, leading to the detention of twelve individuals last Thursday, as detailed in a post on the Salem MA Police Department's Facebook page. Among those arrested were Gerald Glover, 33, of western Massachusetts, and Cornelius Groce, 47, of Boston and Lynn, both of whom were charged with trafficking Class "A" fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute.
Others swept up in the operation include Gregory Harrison, 59, from Boston, charged with a subsequent offense of distributing and possessing Class "B" substances, and Cheryl Messina, 60, of Beverly, facing charges for subsequent offenses related to both Class "A" and Class "B" substance distribution. The arrests cut across various cities with Matthew Selig, 43, from Rye, New Hampshire, also facing charges of distribution of Class "A" substance as a subsequent offense. Altogether, detectives managed to confiscate 60 grams of Fentanyl and 21 grams of Crack Cocaine as part of the sting.
The Salem Police Department has opened the lines of communication to the public, urging anyone with knowledge of illicit narcotics activities to contact their Anonymous Tip Line at (978) 619-5627, ensuring confidentiality for those who are hesitant to come forward, or speak directly with a detective by calling the CID at (978) 745-9700," according to the department's Facebook post.
