METHUEN — Chief Scott J. McNamara reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested and charged two men with trafficking fentanyl.
DEREK AYOTTE, AGE 31 of LACONIA, N.H., was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking Fentanyl, over 100 Grams less than 200 Grams
JOSE RAFAEL VILLAR, AGE 31 of LAWRENCE, was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking Fentanyl, over 100 Grams less than 200 Grams
- Fugitive from Justice
On Friday, Oct. 6, Methuen Police were conducting surveillance into reports of alleged drug transactions when officers observed an individual, later determined to be VILLAR, walking from the area of Lowell Street toward Route 110. Officers then observed VILLAR walk up to and interact with the driver of a bronze Subaru Legacy.
Methuen Police subsequently observed that the Legacy had a broken tail light, and stopped the vehicle. During the stop officers discovered that the driver of the vehicle, identified as AYOTTE, was in possession of what appeared to be a white powdery substance, believed to be fentanyl.
AYOTTE was arrested without incident.
Methuen Police then picked up VILLAR, who also was arrested without incident.
During a preliminary investigation, officers determined that VILLAR had used a false name and fake ID during his arrest. Officers then determined that VILLAR had a previous warrant out of Lawrence District Court.
Both men were arraigned today in Essex County District Court and each held on $25,000 bail.
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