Repeat New Bedford Drug Dealer Sentenced to Prison

FALL RIVER — A 41-year-old New Bedford man with a lengthy history of drug dealing convictions was sentenced to state prison this week after being arrested twice in 2018 for trafficking and distributing narcotics in New Bedford and Taunton, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.

Rory Barrows pleaded guilty yesterday in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with trafficking in fentanyl in excess of 10 grams, possession with intent to distribute heroin-subsequent offense, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine-subsequent offense.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Sylvia. Judge Raffi Yessayan sentenced the defendant to serve four to five years in state prison.

On February 21, 2018, the defendant was stopped by state police in Taunton for motor vehicle violations and driving with a suspended license. A pat frisk was done of his person and 12 grams of heroin and 1.4 grams of crack cocaine was recovered, along with $4,979 in cash.

Then, on November 10, 2018, while the defendant was out on $10,000 cash bail, he became the target of a search warrant in New Bedford for his 2006 Mercedes. As a result of the search of the car, New Bedford Police officers located approximately 17.9 grams of fentanyl, 4.7 grams of crack cocaine, $132 in cash, a digital scale, a press, and other packaging materials.

“This defendant has made a career out of selling drugs and profiting on people’s addiction and continued to sell drug even while out on bail,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This case highlights the importance of detaining repeat drug dealers without bail so they cannot continue to sell drugs while on release for similar crimes.”

--Bristol County District Attorney's Office