$300K, Cocaine, Gun Seized In Peabody Drug Bust: Police

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody man was charged with drug and gun possession after police said they seized more than 12 grams of apparent cocaine, more than $300,000 in cash and a firearm during a search warrant search of an Essex Apartment Homes Complex residence in December.

Police said they obtained a search warrant for the Avalon Drive home following what they called "a lengthy investigation into illegal activity" at the complex.

Peabody, Ipswich and a Littleton K9 unit conducted the search on Dec. 17 when they said the drugs, gun and cash were found and seized.

Jason Carrion, 29, was charged with possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm.

"With the help of our (Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council) partners, the Peabody Police Department worked diligently to arrest this individual and interrupt the distribution of cocaine in this area," Peabody police said. "We will continue to respond to these issues on our streets and in our neighborhoods and do our best to keep our community safe."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)