Cocaine, Fentanyl Trafficked In Tewksbury Home; 3 Arrested: Police

TEWKSBURY, MA — Three Lawrence men are facing numerous charges after authorities say they trafficked cocaine and fentanyl and were in possession of several illegal weapons, Tewksbury police announced Saturday.

According to police, 923 grams of cocaine, 96 grams of fentanyl, three handguns, five large-capacity magazines, and paraphernalia used to package and cut cocaine and fentanyl were seized from a home on Ames Hill Drive on Friday.

Authorities searched the house after a months-long investigation into narcotics distribution at the Ames Hill Drive apartments, police said.

Police arrested Richard Pena, 20, of Lawrence; Erady Santos, 18, of Lawrence; and Christopher Villar-Peralta, 18, of Lawrence. All three are facing charges of trafficking cocaine over 200 grams and trafficking a Class A substance over 36 grams (fentanyl), police said. Each also faces numerous weapons charges, according to authorities.

"These individuals placed their neighbors in fear and operated a drug distribution organization as if this was their kingdom," Police Chief Ryan Columbus said in a statement. "They made a mistake thinking they could get away with this in Tewksbury."

All three will be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court, police said.