Five Arrested In New Bedford Drug Raid

New Bedford Police arrested five people following a Friday night drug raid.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says members of the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau executed a search warrant at 96 Holly St. 3rd floor at around 9:45 p.m.

The warrant was executed as a result of an investigation into drugs being sold out of the apartment.

As detectives were preparing to execute the warrant one of the suspects, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Sylvia of New Bedford, was seen coming down the stairs after allegedly purchasing narcotics and tried to flee.

Vicente says Sylvia ran into a back yard and tossed a bag of cocaine that became stuck in a small tree before he was placed under arrest without incident.

Once in the apartment Vicente says detectives located the other suspects, identified as 26-year-old Richard Blakney, 43-year-old Derek Wiggins, 31-year-old Caridad Soria, and 46-year-old Aaron Johnson, all of New Bedford.

As a result of the search officers seized 29 individual bags of heroin, 26 individual bags of cocaine, and $3,403 in cash.

All the suspects were arrested on various drug charges and were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in New Bedford District Court.