On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., Southbridge police officers detained a suspected narcotics distributor during a coordinated investigation on Dean Street.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, officers learned earlier that day that a known narcotics trafficker would be in the vicinity with a large amount of illegal drugs.
“Through information obtained during the investigation, detectives learned that the suspect was allegedly distributing crack cocaine and fentanyl from his residence and was expected to receive a large quantity of narcotics,” Southbridge Police Department stated in a statement.
Detectives set up surveillance in the area with the support of patrol officers. Using the Southbridge Police Department’s drone, officers spotted the suspect exit a home and head toward Dean Street.
The Southbridge Police Department claimed that while authorities attempted to contact the suspect, he escaped on foot.
During a brief foot pursuit, officers allegedly observed the defendant toss a huge bag containing an off-white, rock-like substance thought to be crack cocaine.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, officers swiftly apprehended the man and discovered around 120 grams of suspected crack cocaine.
During a search of the suspect, investigators discovered an amount of US dollars thought to be drug earnings, as well as multiple keys, including those believed to belong to a safe.
The Southbridge investigators Department revealed that during the ongoing investigation, investigators discovered a safe at a family member’s home. K9 “Vice” performed a narcotics sniff on the safe and positively identified the presence of illegal drugs.
The Southbridge Police Department stated the safe was seized and secured pending a search warrant.
The following day, detectives executed the warrant and found an additional 198 grams of suspected crack cocaine, roughly 50 grams of suspected cocaine, and 120 grams of suspected fentanyl inside the safe.
Victor M. Ortiz, 40, of Crystal Street in Southbridge, was arrested and charged with trafficking crack cocaine in excess of 200 grams, as well as cocaine and fentanyl.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, Ortiz was jailed on $50,000 cash bail at police headquarters before being tried in Dudley District Court.
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