In a recent operation by the Tewksbury Police Department, two men have been apprehended on drugs charges. The suspects, identified as Joseph Paoletta, 33, from Lowell, and Ra King Santiago, 19, from Manchester, NH, are facing various counts related to drug distribution.
According to the Tewksbury Police Department's statement, the arrests took place after the department's Narcotics Unit officers observed what seemed to be a drug transaction around 2:35 p.m., Saturday, involving the driver of a gray Jeep Liberty and another individual at 95 Main St.
As the officers conducted their preliminary investigation, they identified Santiago as one of the individuals involved and detained him without further incident. It was revealed during the investigation that Santiago had been staying at the same location as Paoletta, who himself was found to have two outstanding arrest warrants out of Lowell.
Following the issuance of a search warrant for the shared residence of Santiago and Paoletta, authorities discovered a small amount of cocaine. Paoletta was also taken into custody without incident, and both were slated for arraignment in Lowell District Court on Monday. Paoletta is charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug; Santiago faces distribution of a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate drug law, and possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug.
