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February 6, 2008

Four charged after police find 2,600-plus heroin bags

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- The police have charged four people with a variety of drug offenses after finding more than 2,600 bags of heroin and $52,289 in cash during a search of a Cherry Street apartment Tuesday.

Nicholas Stephen Denardo, 27, and Ashley Cierra Bright, 20, were both charged with one count each of trafficking in heroin, over 28 grams, trafficking in a Class A drug in a school zone, and conspiracy. Carlos Jose Alomar, 36, was charged with possession of a Class A drug. Jared J. Mello, 24, was charged with possession and intent to distribute a Class A drug, possession and intent to distribute in a school zone, conspiracy, and resisting arrest.

On Tuesday, vice detectives executed a search warrant at a first-floor apartment at 843 Cherry St., occupied by Denardo and Bright. The police said no one answered when they knocked on the door, but they could hear someone inside. They said when they forcefully entered the apartment, they found Bright, along with 150 small bags of heroin.

The police said a further search of the apartment yielded a drug ledger and $2,200 in cash. While the police were inside, Alomar knocked on the door. The police said they found two bags of heroin in his possession and he was taken into custody.

Denardo arrived by car shortly afterward with a plastic bag containing another 2,000 bags of heroin, the police said.

A man later identified as Mello accompanied him but fled the scene upon encountering the detectives. He was pursued on foot and arrested after falling from a wall at Ruggles Park.

A search of the Nissan the men arrived in turned up an additional 450 bags of heroin, according to the police.

Denardo was out on bail after a Sept. 11, 2007 arrest on drug charges. In that incident, vice detectives raided an apartment he had been renting on Whipple Street and discovered nearly 5,000 bags of heroin and $11,000 in cash, according to the police.

“The seizure of this quantity of heroin along with the substantial amount of proceeds from the illicit sale of drugs in our city is of significant proportions,” said Police Chief John M. Souza. “The message should be loud and it should be clear. Individuals who elect to become involved in the illegal distribution of dangerous drugs in this city will be discovered. They will be arrested, and they will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:15 PM | Permalink

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