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Undercover Investigation Leads to Arrest, Drug Seizure

Posted on: May 16, 2014 - 3:38pm

NORTH READING – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced today that a months-long investigation into the sale of cocaine out of the China Cuisine Restaurant in North Reading, culminated last evening when officers from multiple agencies arrested Richard “Ricky” Ward, 57, of North Reading and seized approximately two ounces of cocaine, a pound of marijuana, prescription pills, and steroids.

“This investigation has now resulted in the arrest of an individual we allege was engaged in cocaine distribution over an extended period, and the seizure of several different types of illegal drugs, including cocaine with a street value of thousands of dollars,” District Attorney Ryan said. “This case required close cooperation between different agencies, including the North Reading Police, the regional task force, and State Police detectives. The careful, patient work of these officers led to this result, and shows what we can accomplish when we work together.”

In December 2013, North Reading Police initiated an investigation into allegations that Ward was selling cocaine out of the China Cuisine Restaurant, located at 235 Main Street, North Reading.

The investigation revealed that Ward, who was not employed by or otherwise officially associated with the China Cuisine Restaurant, frequented the restaurant’s bar area on an almost daily basis and remained there for up to eight hours per day.

In January of 2014, detectives from the North Reading Police Department, with the assistance of Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police and detectives assigned to the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force, conducted surveillance of Ward and his activities at the China Cuisine Restaurant. s vehicle, which was located in the parking lot of the China Cuisine Restaurant.

On Thursday May 15, 2014, Ward allegedly made two separate sales of cocaine from the China Cuisine Restaurant to undercover detectives. North Reading Police, with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, then moved in and placed Ward under arrest. Ward gave permission for detectives to search his apartment at 101 Lowell Road, Apt. #301, North Reading, MA. There they found approximately two ounces of cocaine, cutting agents typically associated with the sale of cocaine, approximately one pound of marijuana, prescription oxycodone pills, and anabolic steroids. Ward’s residence is located next to the Rita J. Mullin Recreational Park, a public park in the town of North Reading.

Based on the above, Ward has been charged with the following offenses:

  • Five counts of Distribution of a Class B substance (cocaine), subsequent offense;
  • Trafficking in Cocaine over 36 grams;
  • Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D substance (marijuana), subsequent offense;
  • Possession of a Class B substance (oxycodone);
  • Possession of a Class E substance (anabolic steroids);
  • Two counts of Drug Violation within a Park Zone;

Ward was arraigned on the above charges this morning in the Woburn District Court, where Judge Timothy Gailey ordered him held on $20,000 cash bail. Ward is due back in the Woburn District Court for a probable cause hearing on June 12, 2014.

All charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the North Reading Police Department, detectives from the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force, detectives from the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, and detectives from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Gilpatric, assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit.