Two Charged for Alleged Fentanyl Sale to Undercover Police in Woburn

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Manuel Perez, 42, of Lynn, was arrested and charged with trafficking over 10 grams of fentanyl and conspiracy in connection with allegedly selling 800 grams of suspected fentanyl to an undercover Massachusetts State Trooper at a Woburn area hotel yesterday.

The undercover officer allegedly arranged to purchase the suspected fentanyl from Perez in exchange for $56,000 in cash.  After the money was inspected and the drugs were exchanged Perez was taken into custody by the Massachusetts State Police.

Following the alleged exchange Massachusetts State Police arrested a second individual, Juan Santana-Almanzar, 52, of Worcester, allegedly connected to the drug sale. Santana-Almanzar is charged with conspiracy.

The preliminary field test of the drugs was positive for fentanyl. The drugs will now be sent to the Massachusetts State Police Drug Lab for further testing. The amount of seized fentanyl is conservatively estimated to have a street value worth in excess of $100,000.

This is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police assigned the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Massachusetts State Police Tactical Operations and the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force.

Both Perez and Santana-Almanzar will be arraigned in Woburn District Court after 11:00 a.m. this morning.