Taunton Dealer Who Hid Drugs in Coke Can Hide Off to Prison

A 35-year old heroin and cocaine trafficker from Taunton with a history of drug dealing convictions has been sentenced to serve five to seven years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

James Mitchell pleaded guilty Monday in Fall River Superior Court to trafficking in excess of 36 grams of cocaine and trafficking in excess of 18 grams of heroin.

The conviction stemmed from a September 3, 2019 incident in Rehoboth. At 12:35 a.m., a Rehoboth police officer stopped Mitchell's vehicle on Route 44. The officer approached on foot, and the vehicle took off. The officer caught up with the car on Route 118, and he saw it stop in the middle of the road. Mitchell, who was behind the wheel, then switched to the passenger seat. The front-seat passenger exited the car and approached the driver’s seat. That's when the officer ordered both individuals and a third passenger to the ground. The officer determined the defendant had a suspended driver's license. The other two were not licensed to drive.

After placing Mitchell under arrest, Rehoboth police performed an inventory search of the car. Police unlocked a glove compartment where they found a fanny pack with two digital scales and $293.39 in cash. Police also located a safe in the vehicle. Police later obtained a search warrant for a safe.

A subsequent search revealed additional narcotics in a Coca Cola Can hide, as well as $4,200 in cash. The total seized was approximately 108.36 grams of cocaine and 50.46 grams of heroin, the DA's office said.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Friedel and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Raffi Yessayan.

"The defendant has a history of drug dealing and a significant criminal record. I am pleased he will be off the street for up to seven years to protect the public," District Attorney Quinn stated.