A 46-year-old Worcester man is facing multiple drug trafficking charges after police say he attempted to flee and then stuffed a bag of crack cocaine down his pants during a confrontation on Madison Street that resulted in a dented police cruiser and officers recovering fentanyl, crack cocaine, oxycodone, crystal meth, cash, a digital scale, and a replica firearm. Salvatore Venuti was shackled and placed in the recovery position after allegedly kicking cops while resisting arrest.
According to the Worcester Police Department, the Neighborhood Response Team was patrolling Madison Street on Thursday when officers approached Venuti, who allegedly tried to leave. Police claim he was clutching a baseball-sized white rock-like substance that appeared to be crack cocaine before pulling a huge clear bag from his rucksack. According to Patch, Venuti allegedly attempted to conceal a bag of crack cocaine down his pants while resisting arrest.
Venuti allegedly kicked cops during the scuffle and broke the front bumper of a police cruiser, producing a huge dent, before being captured and placed in the recovery position. The Worcester Police Department’s account was supported by regional coverage from Boston 25 News, which also depicted the physical confrontation before cops apprehended him.
According to the police department, officers found nine bags of crack cocaine weighing 35.35 grams, eight bags of fentanyl weighing 12.19 kilos, and two distinct bags of oxycodone pills, one measuring 42.79 grams, in Venuti’s rucksack. Police said they discovered a bag of crystal methamphetamine, cash, a digital scale, and a replica handgun in the rucksack.
Venuti was charged with trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl, trafficking class. According to authorities, the charges include possession with intent to distribute class A crystal meth, trafficking class B crack cocaine in the 18-to-36-gram range, and oxycodone in the 37- to 99-gram range. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 32E(c½), trafficking 10 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum term of 3.5 years in state prison and up to 20 years, according to the Law Offices of Stephen Neyman. Notably, Massachusetts bases these criteria on the overall gross weight of the drug mixture, rather than the purity of the fentanyl itself.
The crack cocaine haul falls under the state’s trafficking bracket for Class B narcotics, which under MGL c. 94C, § 32E(b) entails a required minimum of 2 years in state prison and up to 15 years for amounts between 18 and 36 grams, according to DelSignore Law. Seizures under 18 grams are normally charged as possession with intent to distribute, therefore the 35.35 grams recovered from Venuti’s rucksack elevated the case to more severe trafficking area.
According to Urbelis Law, the alleged kick toward officers and the resulting struggle could subject Venuti to charges under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13D, which governs assault and battery on a police officer engaged in official duties and carries a mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail and up to 2.5 years in a house of correction. Separately, the dent in the cruiser’s front bumper was noted by the authorities.
The Worcester Police Department’s Neighborhood Response Team made the arrest, according to the City of Worcester. Officers from the team attend neighborhood meetings and develop relationships with local citizens.
The backpack allegedly included a variety of drugs, including fentanyl, oxycodone tablets, crack cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine.
Even as street-level arrests like this one continue, overdose remains a public-health issue in Worcester.
Opioid overdose continues to be a public-health concern across the state. Worcester County has also had opioid-related overdoses.
Worcester Police have addressed further drug-related cases. Venuti’s case has yet to be heard in court, and no additional charges related to the alleged cruiser damage or the battle with cops have been formally filed as of the department’s release.