New Bedford Police make largest cocaine seizure in department’s history

May 2, 2024 3:29 pm

Gino DeAngelis,

Over 17 kilos of cocaine were seized by New Bedford police on April 24. (New Bedford Police Department)

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said that over 35 pounds of cocaine were seized during three searches on May 1, the largest in the department’s history.

The department said that 31-year-old Gilberto Collazo faces a possible sentence of 12 to 20 years in prison due to allegedly trafficking over of two hundred grams of cocaine worth around $2 million.

An investigation into a cocaine delivery service resulted in searches of apartments on Farm Street and Deane Street as well as of a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“This is a major seizure by any standard, and it is the result of skillful police work,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “I am grateful for the diligence of the department’s detectives in preventing this stash from ever reaching the streets, here or elsewhere.”