Search for Wanted Male Leads to Significant Drug and Gun Arrest

New Bedford, MA — Detectives have placed a wanted male into custody and have taken a gun, as well as a sizeable amount of narcotics, off of the street in the process.

On December 14th, Detectives Jonathan Miranda and Jacob Rebello were searching for JESSE SOARES, 41, of 16D Bayberry Road. SOARES had seven active warrants for his arrest and had led police on a vehicle chase last month, during which he successfully avoided capture. At around noon on this day, detectives located SOARES in his vehicle outside of his address and were able to place him in custody.

During a search that followed, SOARES was found to be in possession of a plastic baggie of “crack” cocaine, digital scales, and several rounds of 9mm ammunition. Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at his Bayberry Road address where detectives then located over 650 grams of cocaine, 88 grams of fentanyl, and a Canik TP9SF handgun with a defaced serial number. In addition, SOARES was found to possess two high-capacity magazines and over 80 rounds of ammunition. A total of $5,534 was also seized as proceeds from his illicit drug trade.

SOARES has a history of serious offenses, including an armed robbery in 2003 for which he was sentenced to five years in state prison, as well as another armed robbery in 2011 and possession of a sawed-off shotgun for which he was sentenced to 10 years. SOARES now stands charged with a variety of offenses, including cocaine trafficking of over 200 grams, fentanyl trafficking of over 36 grams, and being a felon in possession of a high-capacity firearm with a defaced serial number. SOARES’ cocaine trafficking charge alone has the potential of carrying a minimum mandatory sentence of 12 years under Massachusetts law.

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