GLOUCESTER — On Monday, April 13, 2026, the Gloucester Police Department announced the arrest of a “significant drug distributor of illegal narcotics within the Gloucester community” after a weekslong investigation.
According to Gloucester Police Chief Michael A. Williams Jr., Gloucester police detectives received assistance from the department’s Patrol Division and the Salem Police Department over the course of the investigation, which spanned several weeks.
During the investigation, Gloucester police detectives used surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordination with law enforcement partners to identify the suspect.
On April 13, 2026, police conducted a targeted motor vehicle stop as part of the investigation. Chief Williams said the suspect resisted arrest and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
During the arrest and a subsequent search, investigators recovered what they described as a substantial quantity of suspected illegal narcotics, including cocaine and fentanyl, the vast majority of which was hidden inside a concealed compartment inside the vehicle. Multiple cellphones and drug packaging materials were also seized.
The suspect — who was not named in the Gloucester Police Department’s release — was charged with trafficking in cocaine over 100 grams, trafficking in fentanyl over 36 grams, resisting arrest, and operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license.
Chief Williams said the arrest disrupted the flow of dangerous drugs into the community and warned that police will continue targeting people who profit from distributing fentanyl and other narcotics.
At the same time, Chief Williams said the department remains committed to connecting those in the community struggling with substance use to treatment, recovery and support services.
