New Bedford Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced

NEW BEDFORD — A New Bedford man arrested twice in just over a year for trafficking fentanyl will serve up to six years in prison after pleading guilty last week.

Angel Perez, 33, admitted to two counts of fentanyl trafficking and one count of possessing fentanyl, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

His first arrest took place in August 2020, when New Bedford police broke the window of Perez's car to search it after he refused to open the door, the D.A.'s office said.

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They found fentanyl in his possession, leading to a search of his home as well — which turned up more of the synthetic opioid as well as over $3,000 in cash.

He was arrested and charged, but was later released on bail.

Just over a year later, in October 2021, police learned that Perez was trafficking fentanyl again.

They set up surveillance and saw a drug transaction, at which point they stopped Perez and found a large bag of fentanyl hidden in his trousers.

The D.A.'s office said Perez also has three prior convictions for drug dealing.

On Thursday, March 23, he was sentenced to serve five to six years in state prison.

"Despite being released on bail, the defendant continued to trafficking fentanyl and profiting off the addiction of people in our community," said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

"The defendant has prior convictions and needs to be kept off the street to protect the public."