Crime & Safety

North Reading Drug Dealer Sentenced to 3 Years

Richard Ward ran drug deals out of a Main Street restaurant.

NORTH READING - A North Reading man has been sentenced to three years in State Prison after pleading guilty to cocaine and Oxycodone charges, Middlesex DA Marian Ryan and North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy said in a statement.

Richard Ward, 60, pled guilty on April 21 to five counts of distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone following an undercover operation conducted by North Reading Police.

Police began investigating the sale of illegal drugs being run out of a Main Street restaurant in January 2014. Police surveilled Ward and witnessed multiple drug deals. Local and State Police began an undercover operation in April 2014, conducting drug deals with Ward on multiple occasions. Police arrested Ward in May 2014.

Find out what's happening in North Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.