WORCESTER — 2 men were arrested late Monday night in Worcester after police discovered a stolen car and illegal drugs during a traffic stop, authorities said.
Officers pulled over the stolen vehicle on Ward Street around 10:25 p.m. and removed the occupants after noticing suspicious movements, according to a statement from the Worcester Police Department.
The driver, Maxwell Smith, 24, had a large knife on him and claimed he did not know the owner of the car. Police said a search of Smith uncovered multiple bags of crack cocaine and fentanyl, which were packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution. The crack cocaine weighed 40.88 grams, which qualifies as a trafficking weight, officials said.
The passenger, Joe Santos-Vazquez, 31, told police the car belonged to his uncle but could not provide his uncle’s name or address. Officers also found a bag of what they believe to be methamphetamine on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
Smith faces charges including receiving a stolen motor vehicle, trafficking crack cocaine, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and carrying a dangerous weapon. Santos-Vazquez is charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a Class B substance.
The car’s owner was contacted and retrieved the vehicle, police said.
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