TEWKSBURY — On Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Tewksbury police officers responded to a hotel on Andover Street after an employee reported finding suspected drugs inside a room.
According to Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus, responding officers examined the substances and believed them to be fentanyl and crack cocaine.
Chief Columbus said that, through an investigation, police identified Heather Chong, 42, of Orlando, Florida, and Ryan McCarthy, 35, of Billerica, as the two people staying in the room.
Police seized approximately 25.4 grams of suspected fentanyl and 17.5 grams of suspected crack cocaine, according to Chief Columbus.
Heather Chong, 42, of Orlando, Florida, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Trafficking in 10 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Possession of a Class B Drug (crack cocaine)
Ryan McCarthy, 35, of Billerica, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Trafficking in 10 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Possession of a Class B Drug (crack cocaine)
- Possession of a Class A Drug
McCarthy and Chong were arraigned in Lowell District Court.
