Three Fall River residents arrested on several drug charges Monday

Three city residents were arrested on drug charges Monday.

According to Detective John Robinson, on Monday December 3rd at approximately 9:30 p.m., Detectives of Fall River Police Departments Vice and Intelligence Unit received information that Joan Rezendes, 58, and Paul Chasse, 23, would be in a Brown Hyundai and would be returning to the city by Route 195 East after purchasing a large quantity of Fentanyl.

Lead Detective Richard Aguiar was assisted by Detectives Heather Moniz, Gary Barboza, Joshua Robillard, Paul McGuire, Bryan Custadio, and Detective Sergeant Greg Wiley.

On arrival in the area of Route 195, Detective Aguiar observed Rezendes exiting the Hartwell Street off ramp. The vehicle she was driving was stopped on Hartwell Street at Fourth. Detectives exited their unmarked police vehicles with their badges displayed and announced they were conducting an investigation. When questioned, Chasse admitted to obtaining 5 bricks of Fentanyl and possessing a little over three bricks in his underwear (a brick is equal to 50 bags). Rezendes stated she snorted the few bags she received from Chasse in exchange for driving him and that she had no more on her or in her car. A search was conducted and Fentanyl bundles were located in Rezendes purse. In all 240 bags were confiscated. 180 bags were located on Chasse and 60 bags were recovered from Rezendes purse.

Rezendes, of 101 Bliss Street Fall River, and Chasse of 366 Bank Street #1E Fall River, were placed under arrest on charges of Possess to Distribute a Class A Substance and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Law.

Also on December 3rd, but at approximately 9:40 p.m., Officers of Fall River Police Departments Special Operations Division assigned to the Southeastern Massachusetts FBI Gang Task Force, along with Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to that same Gang Task Force, applied and were granted search warrants for Michael Klein, 41 of 162 Cory Street #2 Fall River, and a 2017 Nissan Altima being operated by him.

FRPD detectives Eric Copsetta, Matt Mendes, and Greg Homen, along with MSP Troopers Sgt. Frank Walls, Sgt. Erik Telford, Trooper Paul Dunderdale, Trooper Steve Johnson, and Trooper Keith Ledin set up surveillance at the Cory Street address. Shortly after, Klein arrived and was detained. Klein was informed of the search warrant and the warrants were executed. Among the items seized were 6 clear bags of suspected cocaine weighing 61.3 grams, 12 Suboxone Strips, 11 suspected Lorazepam tablets, 2 scales, and 2 cell phones. Nothing was located in the Nissan.

Klein was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of a Class B substance, and possession of a Class E Substance.