Almost 1,000 bags of suspected fentanyl seized in Fall River drug arrest

A Fall River man has been arrested on drug charges.

According to Lieutenant Jay Huard, on Monday, August 17th, at 6:00 p.m., Vice and Intelligence Unit detectives, led by Detective Richard Aguiar, were conducting surveillance in the area 876 Locust Street. They were led to this address from a tip of suspected drug activity. While conducting the surveillance, detectives observed Jason Murphy exiting the multifamily dwelling. Murphy left the area on his motorcycle along with another male who was also operating a motorcycle.

The Detectives followed both operators to a business parking lot that is located at the Providence/Pawtucket line in Rhode Island. Detectives observed Murphy use his phone several times while pacing back and forth in the parking lot. After a brief period, a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows pulled into the back of the lot near Murphy. Murphy walked over to the passenger’s side door, opened it, and stood in the doorway and interacted with the lone male operator. Detectives further observed an exchange of a dark colored bag that Murphy placed in a compartment of his motorcycle. Detectives believed that the exchange was consistent with a drug transaction. Both Murphy and the other man started their bikes and exited the parking lot. Detectives followed the motorcycle operators as they got back onto Route 95 South then onto Route 195 East toward Fall River. Both operators eventually parked their bikes in the area of 178 Reeves Street.

Detectives approached both men and identified themselves as police officers. The bikes and the males were searched by investigators. Det. Gary Barboza deployed his K-9 partner Capone to search the bikes. K-9 Capone alerted to the area of a front fairing on Murphy’s bike. A search of the compartment yield a black plastic bag containing several bundles of blue glassine bags bound with rubber bands. These bundles appeared to be bricks of Fentanyl. A total of 996 bags of suspected fentanyl were seized, along with $150.00 in US Currency.

Murphy, 48, of Locust Street, Fall River, was charged with Trafficking a Class A Controlled Substance over 18 grams.