Crime & Safety

Worcester Man Charged With Trafficking Cocaine After Police Stop

Police said they found drugs and what they described as a "fully stocked mobile crack-cooking starter kit" inside his vehicle.

WORCESTER, MA — A man from Worcester is facing charges after he was pulled over in Auburn.

Alexander Quinonez, 43, was charged with trafficking cocaine and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license after he was pulled over in Auburn, according to police.

An Auburn police officer tried to pull over a silver Chrysler 300 on Southbridge Street for driving without a valid inspection sticker. Police said that the driver continued for about a quarter mile before finally stopping.

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"When someone keeps driving after the blue lights come on, it usually means one of two things: they’re looking for the world’s perfect parking spot… or they’re suddenly remembering everything illegal currently sitting in their car," the police department shared in a news release.

The Auburn police officer approached the car, and the driver introduced himself as a name that does not exist, police said. The police officer identified the driver as Quinonez and discovered he was driving without a suspended license.

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Inside his car, officers also found suspected crack cocaine, packaging materials used for drug distribution, scales and what police describe as a "fully stocked mobile crack-cooking starter kit."

In total, Auburn police said its officers seized about 33.9 grams of suspected crack cocaine and $1,895 in cash.

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