New Bedford Narcotics Detectives arrest a man on Wednesday, April 3rd for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl after they concluded an investigation into a cocaine distribution service being operated out of 472 Cottage Street in New Bedford.

Detectives arrested the target of the investigation, Miguel Angel Martinez, 40, of 472 Cottage St., New Bedford after executing the search warrant. Detectives discovered over 32 grams of cocaine, 51 grams of fentanyl, 20 suboxone film strips, 27 prescription pills and $798 in U.S. Currency.

Martinez was charged with trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl, trafficking more than 18 grams of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute class B. This was Martinez’s third arrest in the past three months, with two of the cases being drug-related. Martinez was due to be arraigned at Third District Court today.

Detective Kevin Barbosa was the lead investigator.

The City of New Bedford has established a deadline of May 6, 2019 for prospective recreational marijuana businesses to submit Host Community Agreement (HCA) applications to the Planning Department for the first round of review. All applications must include a certificate of compliance with local zoning and a demonstration of site control, among other supporting materials.

In October 2018, the City of New Bedford established administrative procedures to implement the state law allowing for the retail sale, processing, and cultivation of recreational marijuana. Under these procedures, prospective recreational marijuana businesses are given an opportunity to submit Host Community Agreement applications. An advisory committee then periodically reviews applications and recommends selected applicants to the Mayor based on a variety of factors. Finally, selected applicants are invited to begin negotiations with the City toward a Host Community Agreement.

Under Massachusetts law, all applicants for state licenses to operate recreational marijuana businesses are required to secure a Host Community Agreement with the city or town in which respective businesses are located. Once applicants have received state approval, applicants must also obtain a local license (where required) and a Special Permit from the local planning department. No date has been established for a second round of application review in New Bedford; prospective recreational marijuana businesses are encouraged to submit their applications for consideration in this first round of review.

For more information visit: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/guidance-establishment-marijuana-facilities/.

A 29-year-old man who previously resided in both Fairhaven and New Bedford arrested twice within a year for trafficking opiates was sentenced to serve five to seven-and-a-half years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Zachary Lovegrove pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last week to indictments charging him with two counts of trafficking heroin, and one count each of distribution of Suboxone, distribution of Xanax, and possession of cocaine.

On November 4, 2016 Fairhaven Police were conducting surveillance at various commercial parking lots in town due to increasing narcotics activity. This defendant was seen on back to back days in commercial parking lots acting suspicious. On this date, he was seen by police going into the trunk of his car, reaching into his pants, removing something and placing it in the trunk. He then re-entered his car and began to drive away. Police ran his license plate and discovered he was driving with a suspended license. Police stopped the defendant’s vehicle and placed him under arrest. While inventorying his vehicle, police recovered 19 grams of a heroin/cocaine/fentanyl mixture, 164 Xanax pills in various baggies, 32 Suboxone strips and more than $1,000 in cash.

Then, on September 22, 2017, while out on $10,000 cash bail, the defendant was again arrested with nearly 40 grams of a heroin, cocaine and fentanyl mixture and one bag of cocaine. Fairhaven Police had received information that the defendant was staying in town at a friend’s house and was using that house as a base of operations for dealing drugs. Surveillance was set up outside the home and the defendant was seen meeting with known drug users and making hand to hand transactions with them.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeanne Veenstra and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Renee Dupuis.

“This defendant was out on bail when he was caught selling drugs once again. It is particularly disturbing that the drugs contained a very toxic mixture of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine which has led to an increase in fatal overdoses during the last several years. This defendant is a danger to the community and the public will be protected from him for up to seven and half years” District Attorney Quinn said. “I would like to thank the Fairhaven Police for their investigative efforts which led to the arrest and conviction of the defendant.”

Mr. Medeiros was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury in connection to the October 4, 2017 homicide of Angel Camacho in New Bedford. This defendant had strong ties to Fairhaven and New Bedford, but had also previously lived in Fall River.

We are excited to announce that one of Bristol County’s Most Wanted Fugitives was apprehended this morning, thanks in large part to tips submitted by the public!

These tips led members of the Bristol County District Attorney’s State Police Unit, New Bedford Police and the state police’s Violent Fugitives Apprehension Section to an apartment complex on Phillips Road in New Bedford. Once inside the apartment, police found the defendant, Jon Medeiros, hiding in a closet. He was arrested and taken into custody without incident. We would like to thank everyone who shared information about this fugitive from justice and provided tips.

The New Bedford Police Department teamed up with Saint Mary’s Church and Saint Vincent Depaul to deliver meals to the homeless. Approximately 175 meals were prepared and delivered to those in need.

New Bedford Police Officers Timothy Gibney, Jared Lizotte, Timothy Gibney, and Kurtis Gonsalves played an active role in this program.

On Wednesday, March 3, after 8:00 p.m. Wareham Police officers responded to a home on Tomahawk Drive where a male was reported to be barricaded with multiple weapons.

Shortly after arrival, the Southeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and Plymouth County Sheriff’s department were summoned to the scene. A neighboring house was evacuated by Wareham Police and the Onset Fire Department.

After several hours of negotiations the male was taken into custody at about 3:00 a.m. uninjured. He was transported to Tobey Hospital for an evaluation and then later taken to the police station where he is facing multiple charges which by law police cannot disclose. After a search of the home detectives located one black powder handgun and a BB gun.

Acting Chief John Walcek said, “The police officers and sheriff’s on the scene did an outstanding job to bring this incident to a safe and successful conclusion with no injuries. Onset Fire Department as usual was of tremendous assistance to the WPD. Wareham EMS stood by several hours at the scene and it is a perfect example of the various public safety agencies working together for the safety of Wareham.”

A 42-year-old New Bedford man who was caught dealing Opiates while out on bail for a previous opiate distribution arrest was sentenced to serve two to four years in state prison last week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Jason Costa pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with two counts of distribution of Fentanyl, and one count each of distribution of Suboxone, distribution of Oxycodone and trafficking in excess of 18 grams of Methadone.

On September 26, 2016, the defendant was the target of a search warrant at his previous residence on Center Street in Dartmouth. Police executed the search warrant and seized 13 bags of Fentanyl weighing 45 grams, 7 Oxycodone pills, and indicia of distribution: scales, plastic bags and $3,333.00 in cash.

While the Defendant was out on the $10,000 cash bail on this case, he found himself once again the target of a search warrant at his new residence on Shawmut Avenue in New Bedford. On November 11, 2017, the defendant was the target of a search warrant which was executed by New Bedford Police. The police observe the defendant arrive at the house, and make entry utilizing a key on the defendant’s person. Upon execution of the search warrant, police locates 5 bags of Fentanyl weighing approximately 11.7 grams, 10 Suboxone strips, packaging materials and digital scales, indicative of distribution. They also seize $828 in cash.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristen Wiley and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Raffi Yessayan.

At the fire this morning at 50 Templeton Street, New Bedford Fire Department Chief Paul Coderre provided the details of the fire where one dog died. Interview by Paul Santos Live.

Live video of the fire: https://www.facebook.com/NewBedfordGuide/videos/2050010458430812/

Live as New Bedford firefighters battle a fire at 50 Templeton Street.

The fire reportedly started around 9:15 am at the single family home. No people were inside, but the family dog was killed.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently announced that the Clemente Course in the Humanities is among its 2019 grant recipients, awarding two grants totaling $198,930 to expand its work in the NEH Dialogues on the Experience of War initiative. One grant, for approximately $99,000, will establish a two-year Clemente Veterans’ Initiative (CVI) program in Providence run by UMass Dartmouth Professor Mark Santow (History), in partnership with Trinity Reparatory Company, University of Rhode Island’s College of Arts and Science, and Operation Stand Down RI.

CVI was developed in 2014 to provide a meaningful intellectual community to veterans who are struggling to adapt to civilian life. Providence’s first CVI class began in January 2019 as a 12-week program, also funded by the NEH, and hosted by Trinity Rep.

Dr. Mark Santow, History Department Chair at UMass Dartmouth and a member of the Providence School Board, will direct the course.

With the new grant, that program will expand to operate for the full academic year, in both 2019-20 and 2020-21. A group of 15-20 veterans will enroll in an interdisciplinary course taught by faculty from the University of Rhode Island and UMass-Dartmouth. Veteran scholars will study history, literature, philosophy, art history, and writing/public speaking in a supportive seminar. Texts from the Ancient Greeks to contemporary literature will explore themes of war and reconciliation, considering universal human experiences and questions.

The course will be offered free of charge to participants. Books, childcare, and transportation assistance will be provided at no cost. Transferable college credit will be available from Bard College.

“The Providence Clement Veterans’ Initiative provides an amazing opportunity for our servicemen and women to learn about themselves and their peers through the historical lens of war, the humanities and the experience of transitioning from battlefield to home,” said Tyrone Smith, Director of Employment of Operation Stand Down RI. “This free college credit course provides a challenging and rewarding experience and eliminates the common costs often associated with college.”

Prospective students can apply online here.