New Bedford Police arrest 3 during multiple investigations

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said that it arrested three people as part of two separate investigations on May 13.

18-year-old Caden Batista was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition without an FID card.

34-year-old Jonathan Britto was charged with trafficking 18 grams or more of cocaine and conspiracy to violate the drug law, while 23-year-old Kaijah’kay Santos was charged with possession to distribute a Class B and Class D drug and conspiracy to violate the drug law.

A firearm seized by New Bedford police as part of an investigation on May 13, 2025. (New Bedford Police Department)

Batista was taken into custody after an investigation into an illegally possessed firearm on Chestnut Street.

Police said he had a warrant for violating probation, and they alleged that they found  a Ruger LCP .380 pistol loaded with six rounds of ammo in his home.

Britto and Santos were arrested as part of an investigation into a cocaine distribution service on South Second Street.

Police alleged they found 26.3 grams of crack cocaine, 273.8 grams of marijuana, $947 in cash, packaging materials, and a digital scale as part of the investigation.