1 week Ago
TEWKSBURY — A tip from a concerned citizen sparked a monthslong investigation by law enforcement that resulted in the arrest of two Lawrence residents on fentanyl trafficking charges. Following Thursday’s arrest, the Tewksbury Police said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency issued immigration detainers on both suspects, identified as Dionicio Confesor Arias Cruz, 44, and Lucitania Siprian, 29. The investigation began in May when the concerned citizen told police that a man had approached him with an offer to buy drugs.
According to police, the dealer provided the citizen with information, including his vehicle type and model, license plate number, and a phone number to reach him. On May 21, utilizing the information, an undercover detective contacted the number and arranged to purchase 10 grams of fentanyl for $180, with the transaction scheduled to take place on Ames Hill Drive. The deal marked what would be the first of several undercover drug transactions conducted by authorities with the alleged dealer, Arias Cruz.
The final transaction, which concluded with the arrests, occurred at about 7:10 p.m. Thursday when an undercover officer purchased 42.
2 grams of alleged fentanyl for $550. Following the purchase, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle used by Arias Cruz and apprehended him and his passenger, Siprian, without incident. In the report, police identified Siprian as Arias Cruz’s partner.
Officers executed a search warrant on Arias Cruz’s vehicle, discovering and seizing $320 in cash. Police reported that a social security card and a permanent resident, or green card, both bearing another man’s name, were also found in Arias Cruz’s vehicle. “As of this time, these documents need to be investigated further in order to confirm that they are fraudulent and/or authentic,” police said in the report.
Adding to his legal woes, police said Arias Cruz, who is reported as possessing a driver’s license from the Dominican Republic, did not have a valid driver’s license. Arias Cruz is charged with trafficking in more than 36 grams of a Class A drug, distribution of a Class A drug, four counts of trafficking in more than 10 grams or more of fentanyl, four counts of trafficking in more than 18 grams of a Class A drug, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to violate drug law. Siprian is charged with trafficking in more than 36 grams of a Class A drug, and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Arias Cruz and Siprian were arraigned on Friday by Judge Leo Fama in Lowell District Court. According to police, the pair were both held on $15,000 cash bail. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court for a pretrial conference on Oct.
3. According to a document available in court from the Department of Homeland Security, DHS determined that probable cause exists to classify Arias Cruz as a “removable alien” based on a “final order of removal” against him. Court records state ICE authorities were present in Lowell District Court during Friday’s arraignment.
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