Fall River man arrested on several drug and firearm charges in Somerset

OMERSET — Chief George McNeil reports that the Somerset Police arrested a man overnight with over 100 grams of fentanyl, plus other drugs, allegedly in his possession.

At approximately 12:33 a.m., Somerset Police Detective Lt. Jay Matos was on patrol in the area of the Park and Ride on Slades Ferry Avenue when he observed a Dodge pickup truck backed into a space next to a trailer. The lone occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Lucas Souza, 28, of Fall River, appeared to be ducking down to avoid being seen.

Officers, including the Somerset Police Department’s K-9 Unit, approached the vehicle to initiate an investigation and immediately observed an empty firearm holster and what appeared to be drugs inside the vehicle. Souza was ordered to exit the vehicle, and following a search of Souza and his vehicle, officers located 114 grams of fentanyl as well as lorazepam, buprenorphine and adderall.

During his interaction with Somerset Police, Souza’s speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

The investigation and arrest were carried out by Detective Lt. Matos, Detective Nicholas Davidson, Detective James Cardella, Patrolman Donald Cormier, Patrolmen Luis Torres and Russell Bezanson, K-9 Officer Jared Linhares and K-9 Viepo, as well as Bristol County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Officer Kenneth Almeido and K-9 Will.

Officers also seized ammunition from the scene, and through a subsequent investigation, located and seized a handgun.

Souza was taken into custody without incident and is being held pending his arraignment.

According to police, Souza was arrested and charged with Trafficking Fentanyl More than 10 Grams, Possession of a Class C Drug, Possession of a Class B Drug (Two Counts), Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, Improper Storage of a Firearm.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Somerset Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges.