Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department arrested and charged a Lawrence man with distributing both fentanyl and crack cocaine.
CESAR FRANCO-LARA, AGE 39, OF LAWRENCE, was arrested and charged with:
- Distribution of Fentanyl
- Distribution of Crack Cocaine
- Providing a False Name to Law Enforcement
On Monday, Aug. 7, members of the Tewksbury Police Narcotics Unit and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office were jointly conducting surveillance in the area of 95 Main St., when they observed what they believed to be a drug transaction between a motel guest and a man in a vehicle.
Investigators stopped the motel guest, who was on foot, and located 2.6 grams of fentanyl and 1.6 grams of crack cocaine in their possession. The motel guest was provided with information on addiction-related services provided by Tewksbury Police, and issued a summons to appear in court at a later date to face charges of Possession of Fentanyl and Possession of Cocaine.
The driver of the vehicle involved, later identified as FRANCO-LARA, was in possession of $140 in cash. FRANCO-LARA was taken into custody at the scene.
While booking FRANCO-LARA, police used law enforcement data to determine that he had initially provided police with a fake name.
FRANCO-LARA is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court.
These are all allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.