Manchester Man Arrested In Tewksbury Drug Investigation

TEWKSBURY, MA - A Manchester man was arrested in Tewksbury, MA on numerous offenses according to the Tewksbury Police Department.

TPD Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department arrested and charged two men with drug offenses after observing an alleged drug deal outside a local business.

CRAIG PICKERING, AGE 59, of MANCHESTER, N.H., was arrested and charged with:

• Distribution of a Class B substance (Subsequent Offense)

• Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) With Intent to Distribute (Subsequent Offense)

• Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine) With Intent to Distribute (Subsequent Offense)

• Possession of a Class B Substance (Suboxone) With Intent to Distribute (Subsequent Offense)

JASON RICCIARELLI, AGE 42, of LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine)

• Warrant (Threatening To Commit a Crime)

On Tuesday at approximately 6 p.m., Tewksbury Police Department detectives were conducting surveillance in the area of 1795 Andover St., they observed what they believed was a drug transaction between an individual in a motor vehicle and an employee of a nearby business.

Detectives stopped the vehicle involved as it left the area with a broken front headlight, and identified Pickering as the driver. Detectives identified Ricciarelli as the employee involved, and discovered he was wanted on an arrest warrant out of Lowell District Court. An on-scene investigation led to the discovery of about four grams of fentanyl, one gram of cocaine, and 25 tablets of Suboxone, as well as a digital scale, plastic bags, and other drug paraphernalia in the possession of Pickering, and a small amount of cocaine that was hidden on Ricciarelli's person. Pickering and Ricciarelli were both arrested at the scene, and arraigned in Lowell District Court on Wednesday.