Alleged Fentanyl Trafficker Busted At Chelmsford Walmart Indicted

CHELMSFORD, MA – Two cases with ties to Chelmsford are among the latest round of indictments in Middlesex County. District Attorney Marian Ryan on Monday announced indictments handed down between April 24 and May 29.

The cases involve crime that are alleged to have occurred in Chelmsford.

Juan Marinez-Santana, 29, of Lawrence, was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking over 18 grams of cocaine, furnishing a false name to police, and resisting arrest. The Assistant District Attorney is Tiffany Castillo.

Marinez-Santana and Raeshawn Ferguson, 34, of Nashua, NH, were arrested at a Chelmsford Walmart on Jan. 17. Police seized 40 grams of heroin and 23 grams of cocaine while conducting "targeted surveillance" at the Drum Hill Shopping Center.

"Officers observed Marinez-Santana exit the Walmart and immediately turn around and reenter the store upon seeing the police activity outside," Chelmsford Deputy Police Chief Dan Ahern said in a statement at the time of the arrest. "An officer then followed him into the store and saw him place multiple small plastic baggies containing a brown substance into his mouth. After a brief struggle, the officer was able to get Marinez-Santana to spit out one of the bags, and saw additional baggies inside his mouth. He eventually spit out the rest of the baggies, and was subsequently taken into custody."

Mark Sarmento, 41, of Lowell, was charged with assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. The Assistant District Attorney is Maren Schrader.

Photo Credit: Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff