New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
So far in 2019, New Bedford Police officers were called 14 times to 11 Vial Street in New Bedford’s south end for drug dealing related calls. According to the New Bedford Police and mayor’s office, it was officially designated a “problem property” by the City of New Bedford on July 23. The “problem property” designation means the City of New Bedford can now bill future police costs associated with calls to the property to the landlord. The problem with this action against the property owner is the vast majority of those arrested do not live at 11 Viall Street and the landlord seems to be making an effort to secure the property.
According to the New Bedford Police Department, the 15 calls resulted in 19 drug-related arrests and 54 charges to those individuals. The latest arrest was on Friday, July 19, when New Bedford police arrested 59-year old Victor Medina who is being charged with possession of heroin.
On May 22, New Bedford police arrested four individuals in the driveway of 11 Viall Street on drug charges to include fentanyl distribution. The individuals arrested live on Central Ave, Sawyer Street, County Street, and Holly Street.
On July 2, New Bedford police arrested four individuals on various drug charges to include fentanyl distribution making it the third fentanyl/heroin distribution arrest made at 11 Viall Street since March 2 of 2019. The individuals arrested live on Stuart Street in Fall River and Gardner Street, County Street and Phillips Ave. in New Bedford.
The property is owned by Robert Amaral, who according to New Bedford Assessor records owns 17 properties in New Bedford. Ronald Oliviera, who owned several properties through a trust with Amaral, says he sold the 11 Viall Street property and other properties to Amaral and removed himself as a trust on the property in early July. Robert Amaral confirms that, but says he’s only been given a warning by the city.
The vast majority of those arrested on drug charges at 11 Viall Street do not live at the property. The driveway and yard seem to be used for drug transactions according to both Amaral and the New Bedford police. Mr. Amaral states that he has spent thousands of dollars securing the property and that police continue to make arrests, but the dealers keep coming back.
Viall Street is part of The South End of New Bedford’s Drug Dealer Mile – a 1-mile area where 17 drug dealers were arrested in a 5 month period.
