Three Charged in Salem Drug Bust

Three people were charged after detectives observed a drug transaction in the Red Roof Inn parking lot Wednesday.

Lillian Cortes, 30, of Lawrence, Mass., was charged with a felony for heroin sales and two felonies for possession with intent to distribute. She was held on $25,000 cash bail pending arraignment in the 10th Circuit Court of Salem.

Gabriel Stanhope, 25, of Derry, and Sarah Murray, 30, of Windham, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws and each held on $5,000 cash bail. 

At approximately 12:03 p.m. police said undercover detectives observed a drug deal in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn. At the end of the first transaction, police said a second vehicle with two subjects inside proceeded to the same vehicle and subject which detectives observed selling drugs just minutes prior.

"Detectives immediately recognized the second vehicle and its driver as a known heroin user," police said.

Detectives and patrol units blocked both vehicles and police said three suspects were taken into custody without incident.

Thirteen bags of heroin, drug paraphernalia and cash were recovered and a vehicle was seize and is awaiting a search warrant, police said.