For Immediate Release: 1/19/2022 1:41 pm
Over the past month, members of the Worcester Police Department Vice Squad have been conducting a drug investigation into the street-level distribution of Fentanyl from the “Main South Market and Smoke Shop” at 1025 Main St. As a result of the investigation, officers applied for and were granted warrants for the store as well as an associated apartment. The named targets of both warrants were Yanira Figueroa, forty-four-years-old, and Jesus Fontanez, forty-four-years-old.
On January 19th 2022, members of the Vice Squad observed Mr. Fontanez leave the store in a motor vehicle. Some officers followed Mr. Fontanez, while other Vice Officers entered the store and detained Figueroa. Officers were able to stop Fontanez and brought him back to the store. As a result of the search of the store, approximately 51 grams of Fentanyl, 53 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded 9mm firearm, scales, currency, and packaging material were recovered. A search of the apartment led to the recovery of a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson firearm, currency, packaging materials, and scales.
As a result of the investigation and evidence recovered, both individuals were arrested and will be charged with Trafficking in Class A 36-99, Trafficking in Cocaine 36-99, and several firearms charges. They will be arraigned in court.
