New Bedford Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

NEW BEDFORD — Massachusetts State Police conducted a traffic stop on a New Bedford street that turned into a significant drug arrest of an alleged repeat offender.

At approximately 3:50 a.m. on February 23, Trooper Ryan Boswell was patrolling Sawyer Street in New Bedford. He conducted a random RMV inquiry of the license plate on a gray Range Rover, which state police say revealed the registration was revoked due to canceled insurance. Trooper Boswell pulled the vehicle over, identifying the operator as Brittany Dias, 33, of South Boston, and the passenger as Richard Conlon, 41, of Fall River.

After questioning Dias, Troopers developed probable cause to search her person and the vehicle. State police say she was found to be holding about $5,000 in cash and a golf ball-sized bag containing suspected fentanyl.

Inside the vehicle, troopers located a partially-opened dictionary with a space inside containing a large amount of pills suspected to be Xanax and multiple baggies containing substances suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. They also located items consistent with the use and sale of illegal narcotics.

The total amount of suspected narcotics seized was approximately 26 grams of fentanyl and approximately 20 grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with the pills.

Dias and Conlon are scheduled to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court.

Dias faces charges of trafficking in fentanyl; trafficking in methamphetamine; possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, subsequent offense; possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute, subsequent offense; possession of a Class E substance with intent to distribute, subsequent offense; possession of a Class B substance, subsequent offense; operating a motor vehicle with a revoked registration; and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Conlon is charged with trafficking in fentanyl and failure to wear a seat belt.