Man charged for drug trafficking in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department announced a man was arrested and drugs were taken off the street earlier this week.

Officials said on June 21, at around 8 p.m., detectives were alerted about reported suspicious behavior on Purchase Street.

While they were searching the area, they said they saw two cars they believed were involved in a drug deal.

After watching someone switch vehicles and driving away, police said they stopped one of the cars and found one of the passengers was sold two grams of cocaine by someone from the other car.

Authorities said further surveillance lead to finding the suspected dealer, identified as 31-year-old Christian Figueroa, in a nearby parking lot.

While being taken into custody, police said Figueroa was found in possession of 21 additional bags of “crack” cocaine, weighing 40 grams. He was also found in possession of $394 in cash.

Figueroa was charged with distributing cocaine, trafficking in excess of 36 grams and conspiracy to violate controlled substance law.