Bristol County Heroin Dealers Arrested In Mercedes: Police

NEW BEDFORD, MA — The "extremely loud and defective exhaust" of a Mercedes in New Bedford led to the arrest of two heroin traffickers Tuesday, according to state police. Melvin Rodriguez, 26, and Christine Benner, 53 — both of New Bedford — were found with 20.8 grams of heroin and $1,000 in cash, police said. They were charged with heroin trafficking and conspiracy.

Police said at about 6:10 p.m., troopers on patrol noticed a white Mercedes C320 with "an extremely loud and defective exhaust" on County Street in New Bedford. Rodriguez, the driver, had no driver's license and was arrested, police said. A search of the car turned up two cylinders of heroin and cash, police said. Rodriguez was also charged with unlicensed driving and an equipment violation.

The pair were transported to the Bristol County House of Correction pending their arraignments.

Photo: Cash and drugs seized by state police in New Bedford March 28, 2017. (Credit: Massachusetts State Police)