Tewksbury Police Arrest Two Men on Drug Distribution Charges 

TEWKSBURY — Chief Ryan Columbus reports that the Tewksbury Police Department arrested and charged two men with drug distribution charges.

JOSEPH POALETTA, AGE 33, of LOWELL, was arrested and charged with the following: 

• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law 
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Drug 

RA KING SANTIAGO, AGE 19, of MANCHESTER, NH, was arrested and charged with the following:  

• Distribution of a Class B Drug 
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law  
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Drug 

On Saturday, May 10, at approximately 2:35 p.m., Tewksbury Police Narcotics Unit was patrolling the area of 95 Main St., when they observed what appeared to be a drug transaction between the driver of a gray Jeep Liberty and another individual. 

Through a preliminary investigation, the individual was identified as SANTIAGO, who was arrested without further incident. It was determined that SANTIAGO was staying at the same place as POALETTA. 

Officers, through a subsequent investigation, learned that POALETTA had two outstanding arrest warrants out of Lowell. A search warrant that was served on SANTIAGO and PAOLETTA’s residence located a small amount of cocaine. 

POALETTA was arrested without incident as well.

POALETTA and SANTIAGO were scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday, May 12.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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