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Members of the New Bedford Police Department Narcotics Unit took 42 grams of Fentanyl and a stolen loaded firearm off the street Tuesday, Oct. 30, following an investigation into a Fentanyl distribution service being operated out of a vehicle.
Detectives stopped a vehicle driven by the target of the search, Reynaldo Melendez, 26, of Shawmut Ave., New Bedford, in the area of Hathaway Boulevard and Highland Street. A search warrant was executed.
A search of the vehicle yielded a loaded Parabellum firearm loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, which was determined to be stolen, 42 grams of Fentanyl, 114 tablets and more than $500 in cash. A search of his residence yielded a digital scale and packaging materials.
Detectives subsequently arrested Reynaldo Melendez, 26, of Shawmut Ave., New Bedford, on charges of trafficking in Fentanyl, carrying a loaded, large capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property less than $1,200, possession of class E substance with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of class E substance, unlawful possession of a large capacity rifle and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
A passenger in the vehicle, Joevanni L. Arroyo, 25, of 868 Shawmut Ave., New Bedford, was charged with carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property less than $1200, possession to distribute class E substance, two counts of possession of class E substance, unlawful possession of a large capacity rifle and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Tatiana Irizarry, 26, of Shawmut Ave., New Bedford, was charged with four warrant arrests.
The arrests were made at about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
