New Bedford Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges

NEW BEDFORD — Police have arrested a New Bedford man on drug trafficking charges after they say he sold Xanax pills to another city resident in the North End on Monday.

Organized crime detectives arrested 30-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud for a variety of narcotics-related offenses, police said.

According to police, the detectives were looking into drug activity in the area on Jan. 30 when they allegedly saw a drug transaction take place between Mahmoud and a woman, later identified as 28-year-old Peightyn Riley.

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Both Mahmoud and Riley were stopped, and detectives found that Mahmoud had allegedly sold Xanax tablets to Riley.

Police said they also found nearly 50 grams of fentanyl, nine grams of fake Oxycodone, 18 grams of Xanax pills, and more than five grams of crack cocaine in Mahmoud's vehicle.

He also allegedly had more than $800 in cash believed to be the proceeds of drug sales, which was seized.

Mahmoud was arrested and charged with trafficking more than 36 grams of fentanyl, possessing class B and E drugs with intent to distribute, distributing a class E drug, and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance laws.

Riley was also charged with possessing a class E drug and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance laws.