FALL RIVER — A Fall River man is arrested after police say they observed him in an apparent drug transaction and searched his motorcycle, turning up suspected fentanyl.

On Monday, August 17 at 6 p.m., Vice and Intelligence Unit detectives, led by Detective Richard Aguiar, were conducting surveillance in the area 876 Locust Street. They were led to this address from a tip of suspected drug activity.

While conducting the surveillance, detectives observed a male that they knew as 48-year-old Jason Murphy of Fall River exit a multifamily dwelling. Murphy left the area on his motorcycle along with another male who was also operating a motorcycle.

Detectives followed both operators to a business parking lot that is located at the Providence/Pawtucket line in Rhode Island. Detectives observed Murphy use his phone several times while pacing back and forth in the parking lot. After a brief period, a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows pulled into the back of the lot near Murphy. Police say Murphy walked over to the passenger’s side door and opened it.

He stood in the doorway and interacted with the lone male operator. Detectives further observed an exchange of a dark-colored bag that Murphy placed in a compartment of his motorcycle. They believed that the exchange was consistent with a drug transaction.

Both Murphy and the other male started their bikes and exited the parking lot. Detectives followed the motorcycle operators as they got back onto Route 95 South then onto Route 195 East toward Fall River. Both operators eventually parked their bikes in the area of 178 Reeves Street.

Detectives approached both males and identified themselves as police officers. The bikes and the males were searched by investigators. Det. Gary Barboza deployed his K-9 partner Capone to search the bikes. K-9 Capone alerted to the area of a front fairing on Murphy’s bike. A search of the compartment yielded a black plastic bag containing several bundles of blue glassine bags bound with rubber bands. Police say these bundles appeared to be bricks of fentanyl. A total of 996 bags of suspected fentanyl were seized, along with $150 in U.S. currency.

Murphy was placed under arrest and charged with trafficking in a Class A controlled substance over 18 grams.

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