New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
A multi-agency operation led to the seizure Friday of approximately seven kilos of heroin, two guns and more than $350,000 in US currency. The operation included Massachusetts state troopers assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit and the Attorney General’s Office detective unit, as well as Lawrence Police.
A stop yesterday of a car observed leaving a Lawrence residence led to the discovery of a bag in the car that contained five kilograms of heroin. The driver, who initially gave a false name, was charged with trafficking in heroin; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
The defendant’s true identity was learned during the booking process, as his fingerprints revealed him to be ALEXANDER SANTANA-DUME, 35, a resident of 15 Alleyn Terrace, Lawrence, a target location of the investigation. He was found to be the subject of warrants from Massachusetts for trafficking cocaine and from New Hampshire for selling crack cocaine. He was additionally charged on those warrants as well as with providing a false name to police and being a fugitive from justice.
The target location of the investigation, 15 Allyn Terrace, was secured and a search warrant was obtained. A search of the residence led to the discovery of two more kilograms of heroin, two semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, presses used to shape drugs into rectangular forms in which they are sold, and approximately $45,000 in US dollars.
Troopers and officers also seized a Chevrolet Malibu car and Ford F150 pickup truck from the residence. A warrant was sought for the F150 and was granted. A search of the truck resulted in the discovery of approximately $320,000 believed to connected to the drug operation.
SANTANA-DUME was arraigned yesterday in Lawrence District Court. He was ordered held on $1 million cash bail. His case is being prosecuted by the Essex District Attorney’s Office.
