Man Who Prompted Search In Wilmington Faces Drug Charges

WILMINGTON, MA -- A Wilmington Police effort to search an area early Monday morning where a suspect may have dropped drugs was thwarted because no canine units from neighboring police departments were immediately available. Police arrested Thomas M. Lafrance, 27, of Fitchburg on charges of trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Because the area would be passed by kids on their way to school just hours after Lafrance was arrested, police wanted to search for drugs he may have dropped.

According to the Wilmington Police log, police were called to the area of Woburn Street and Greatneck Drive after a resident complained that an SUV had been parked alongside her home for several hours.

According to a message sent to parents by Wilmington Public Schools, Lafrance initially fled on foot after being pulled over by police on Marcia Road. Police caught up with Lafrance on Marcia Road, where he was placed under arrest.

Wilmington Police called area police departments to ask to use their canine units to search the area. The state police initially said their canine unit would not be available until the canine officer started his shift at 7 am, then said they could not respond because of a policy barring the use of canine units in searches for fentanyl.

Some police departments bar dogs from searching for potent opioids like fentanyl for fears that the dogs may overdose. Other departments have given canine officers the anti-opioid drug Narcan to administer to their partners in the event of an overdose.

Melrose Police eventually responded with a canine unit and the area was cleared by investigators by 8 am Monday.

Previously on Patch: Heavy Police Presence In Wilmington Following Overnight Arrest

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).