Five Arrested as New Bedford Police Target North End Drug Deals

NEW BEDFORD — Five people have been arrested as part of an investigation into street-level drug sales in New Bedford's North End.

Narcotics detectives were patrolling the North End on Wednesday afternoon when they saw what appeared to be a drug transaction involving three individuals in a vehicle in the area of 3 Bullard Street.

Upon further investigation, police arrested the three suspects:

• Jose Santiago, 20, 135 Fillmore Street, New Bedford
  • Possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute
  • Conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Chelsea President, 28, 285 Whittenton Street, Apt. 1, Taunton
  • Possession of a Class A substance
  • Possession of a Class B substance
  • Possession of a Class E substance (three counts)
  • Conspiracy to violate drug laws
• John Rodriques, 45, 3 Washington Street, Fairhaven
  • Possession of a Class A substance
  • Possession of a Class B substance

The arrests were made at 1:06 p.m. on Wednesday.

Later that afternoon, narcotics detectives again witnessed what appeared to be a drug transaction between to males in a vehicle in the area of 260 Whitman Street.

Police investigated and subsequently arrested the male suspects:

• Jeffrey Arruda, 36, 121 Collette Street, Apt. 3, New Bedford
  • Possession of a Class A substance
  • Conspiracy to violate drug laws
• David Lopes, 44, 60 Hope Street, New Bedford
  • Possession of a Class A substance
  • Conspiracy to violate drug laws

The two men were arrested at 4:05 p.m. on Wednesday.