SOUTHBRIDGE — On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., Southbridge police officers arrested a suspected narcotics distributor following a coordinated investigation in the Dean Street area.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, detectives received information earlier that day that a known narcotics trafficker would be in the area with a significant quantity of illegal drugs.
“Through information obtained during the investigation, detectives learned that the suspect was allegedly distributing crack cocaine and fentanyl from his residence and was expected to receive a large quantity of narcotics,” the Southbridge Police Department said in a statement.
Detectives established surveillance in the area with help from patrol officers. Using the Southbridge Police Department’s drone, police observed the suspect leave a residence and walk toward Dean Street.
The Southbridge Police Department reported that as officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, he fled the area on foot.
During a short foot pursuit, police allegedly saw the suspect discard a large bag containing an off-white, rock-like substance believed to be crack cocaine.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, officers quickly took the suspect into custody and recovered approximately 120 grams of suspected crack cocaine.
During a search of the suspect, officers recovered an amount of U.S. currency believed to be drug proceeds, along with several keys, including keys believed to belong to a safe.
The Southbridge Police Department reported that during the continued investigation, police located a safe at a family member’s residence. K9 “Vice” conducted a narcotics sniff of the safe and positively alerted to the presence of illegal drugs.
The safe was seized and secured pending a search warrant, the Southbridge Police Department said.
Detectives executed the warrant the following day and recovered an additional 198 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 50 grams of suspected cocaine, and 120 grams of suspected fentanyl from inside the safe.
Victor M. Ortiz, 40, of Crystal Street in Southbridge, was arrested and charged with trafficking in crack cocaine over 200 grams, trafficking in cocaine, and trafficking in fentanyl.
The Southbridge Police Department said Ortiz was held on $50,000 cash bail at police headquarters and later arraigned in Dudley District Court.
