HAVERHIL — On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at approximately 11:11 p.m., Detectives Kaylee Sarfde and Douglas Angus were conducting surveillance with Sergeant Michael Mills near the EZ Mart at 1 Broadway when they observed a gray Toyota Corolla enter the store’s parking lot.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Detective Kaylee Sarfde and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
Detective Kaylee Sarfde said the driver was identified as a 30-year-old named Keegan, who was known to the Haverhill Police Department.
“Sergeant Mills was aware that Keegan has a history of drug use,” Detective Sarfde said. Adding, “The Toyota Corolla parked along the curb in front of the EZ Mart convenience store with the driver’s side of the vehicle facing the store.”
Shortly afterward, a black Chevrolet Tahoe with New Hampshire plates entered the parking lot and parked directly behind the Toyota Corolla, facing the same direction.
Sergeant Mills then entered the parking lot in his unmarked cruiser and observed a man approach the driver’s side window of the Toyota Corolla, Detective Sarfde said.
“Sergeant Mills observed the male engage in a brief hand-to-hand exchange with Keegan through the driver’s side window,” Detective Sarfde said. “Immediately following the hand-to-hand exchange, the Toyota Corolla exited the parking lot, having remained there for only approximately three minutes.”
The Toyota then turned right onto Hilldale Avenue and made another right onto Broadway. The Tahoe left the parking lot separately, turning left onto Hilldale Avenue and continuing in that direction.
“Based on my training and experience, the observed activity was consistent with a street-level narcotics transaction,” Detective Sarfde said. Later adding, “The brief encounter, hand-to-hand exchange through the vehicle window, lack of any apparent legitimate purpose, immediate departure after the exchange, and the parties leaving in separate directions are all behaviors consistent with street-level narcotics transactions.”
Following the alleged hand-to-hand exchange, Detective Sarfde said she, Detective Angus, and Sergeant Mills followed the black Chevrolet Tahoe as it traveled along Hilldale Avenue.
“We activated our emergency lights and sirens and conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Hilldale Avenue and Brook Street,” Detective Sarfde said. “Upon approaching the vehicle, the operator was identified as Carlos Rivera, who is known to the Haverhill Police Department and has a history of drug-related criminal offenses.”
According to police, Carlos M. Rivera, 47, is a resident of Haverhill, MA.
“Carlos was advised of the reason for the stop and was asked to exit the vehicle,” Detective Sarfde said. “Carlos complied and was detained in handcuffs.”
Sergeant Mills then read Rivera his Miranda rights from a warning card he carried with him.
“Carlos stated that he understood his rights,” Detective Sarfde said. “Carlos was advised that he had been observed engaging in what appeared to be a hand-to-hand exchange with Keegan in the EZ Mart parking lot. Carlos stated that he and Keegan had only shook hands.”
When asked if he had any drugs inside the vehicle or on his person, Rivera denied both, Detective Sarfde said.
“Carlos acknowledged that the interaction could have appeared to be a hand-to-hand transaction and provided verbal consent for detectives to search the vehicle,” Detective Sarfde said.
Detective Sarde said a search of Carlos’ person was then conducted.
“During the search, one Suboxone strip and one $20 bill were located on Carlos’ person,” Detective Sarfde said. “Carlos stated that he had a valid prescription for the Suboxone, but that the prescription was at his residence. Carlos was not in possession of a valid prescription for the Suboxone at the time of the stop. Additionally, the $20 bill was consistent with Carlos having just received payment during the suspected hand-to-hand narcotics transaction observed moments earlier.”
Before officers searched the vehicle, Detective Sarfde said Rivera was again asked if he was certain there were no illegal drugs inside.
“Carlos stated that there were not. Sergeant Mills and I then conducted a search of the vehicle,” Detective Sarfde said. “In the driver’s side door, a crack pipe was located.”
The officers also located a small white rock-like substance beneath the driver’s seat.
“Based on my training and experience, as well as the training and experience of Sergeant Mills, the substance was believed to be crack cocaine,” Detective Sarfde said. “During a search of the center console, we also located several small clear plastic bags, a small dish containing white powder residue, and a box of baking soda.”
Behind the driver’s seat, police also located two metal spoons with a white powdery residue on them.
“Based on my training and experience, as well as the training and experience of Sergeant Mills, the clear plastic bags, dish containing white powder residue, spoons with white powder residue, and box of baking soda are all items commonly associated with the preparation, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of illegal narcotics,” Detective Sarfde said. Adding, “The white rock-like substance and the Suboxone strip were placed into an evidence bag and secured.”
Carlos’ girlfriend then arrived on scene and took possession of the vehicle.
“Carlos was advised that he was under arrest. Officer Craig Costoplus arrived on scene in a marked cruiser and transported Carlos to the Haverhill Police Department,” Detective Sarfde said. “Upon arrival at the Haverhill Police Department, Carlos was advised of his Miranda rights by Lieutenant Kevin Lynch. Carlos was subsequently booked, photographed, fingerprinted, and given the opportunity to use the telephone. Following the booking process, Carlos was placed into a holding cell pending bail review.”
Detective Sarfde said the suspected narcotics and Suboxone strip were packaged, logged, and placed into evidence.
“The suspected narcotics will be submitted to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory for analysis,” Detective Sarfde said.
Carlos M. Rivera, 47, of Haverhill, was charged with the following:
- Possess Class B Drug, Subsequent Offense (two counts)
Rivera was arraigned in Haverhill District Court on June 25, 2026. Following his arraignment, he was released on personal recognizance.
The case was then brought forward on July 6, 2026, when the court allowed the Commonwealth’s motion to revoke Rivera’s bail and ordered him held without bail until Oct. 2, 2026.
Rivera’s next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for August 3, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in June, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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