Medford Man With 30+ Times 'High Level' of Fentanyl Nabbed: Police

A Medford man who was allegedly in possession of more than 30 times what authorities deem a "high level" of fentanyl was charged Thursday.

Kelvin Concepcion-Soto, 24, of Medford had 336.7 grams of the deadly synthetic opioid, according to a release from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's Office. The crime of trafficking fentanyl at a high level, passed last year, is defined as more than 10 grams. The Drug Enforcement Administration says fentanyl can kill at 0.25 mg.

Cutting agents, plastic baggies, and a digital scale often used for the intended sale of the drugs, in addition to 117 small plastic bags of fentanyl, were found in Concepcion-Soto's home, the release said.

Concepcion-Soto was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court and charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2 counts).

On Aug. 18, 2016, Medford Drug Control Unit detectives conducting surveillance saw an alleged drug transaction between Concepcion-Soto and a buyer. Police searched the buyer and allegedly found four bags of heroin he got from Concepcion-Soto.

Police stopped Concepcion-Soto's vehicle shortly after and allegedly seized 14 bags of drugs, 12 of which contained fentanyl and two of which contained cocaine.

Authorities then executed a search warrant on his house, resulting in the big fentanyl bust.

“Fentanyl is a very powerful synthetic opioid that has been found in an increasing number of overdose deaths across the state," said Ryan. "As part of our multi-pronged approach to this epidemic, we continue to target large-scale drug distribution operations, like this one, in an effort to get more illicit drugs off our streets and out of our communities."

Bail was set at $100,000. The case is scheduled to return to court Tuesday, Feb 28.

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