New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“New Bedford, MA — On May 1st, Detective Jonathan Miranda concluded his investigation into a cocaine delivery service, which culminated in the execution of three search warrants. One for 385 Farm St., apartment #2, one for 189 Deane St., apartment #1, and one for a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee connected to the target of the investigation, Mr. GILBERTO COLLAZO, 31.
As a result of these searches, detectives made the largest seizure of cocaine in the history of our department. 17 kilos were located, boasting a street value of approximately one million dollars once cut and packaged for distribution.
“A seizure of this size, in this region of the country, is exceptionally uncommon,” said Chief Paul Oliveira. “It takes a dedicated detective working within a tenacious team to get this type of result. I’m always very proud of our narcotics unit, but I’m particularly delighted with them today.”
City of New Bedford Police Department photo.
Cocaine addiction is still a prevalent problem in Massachusetts. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Massachusetts is ranked fourth in the country for the overall rate of cocaine use (Moore, 2024)
“This is a major seizure by any standard, and it is the result of skillful police work,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I am grateful for the diligence of the department’s detectives in preventing this stash from ever reaching the streets, here, or elsewhere.”
COLLAZO was charged with trafficking in excess of two hundred grams of cocaine, which carries a potential penalty of 12 to 20 years in prison.
“I am very pleased with the efforts of the New Bedford narcotics detectives, which led to the seizure of an extraordinary amount of cocaine,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas A. Quinn. “This is the biggest seizure of narcotics in recent memory, if not in the history of New Bedford. This case highlights the large amount of narcotics that continues to be trafficked in our communities on a daily basis. My office will be asking the court to detain this defendant and hold him without bail.”
If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by submitting a tip on our website or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”
