METHUEN — A 22-year-old man was arrested on drug trafficking charges after police spotted what appeared to be a drug deal in the area of Wheeler and Lowell streets.
Detective Lt. Michael Pappalardo said detectives from the drug unit were conducting surveillance in the area about 4:50 p.m. on Thursday because of a number of complaints from residents about suspicious activity.
He said the officers watched as two cars drove up and stopped.
"They appeared to conduct some type of transaction," Pappalardo said.
The detectives moved in and after an investigation, arrested Gustavo Baez-Franco, 22, of 22 French St. and charged him with trafficking heroin over 14 grams,and trafficking cocaine over 28 grams.
The detectives seized 38 grams of heroin, 88 grams of cocaine and $3,949 in cash.
Some of the drugs and cash were recovered from an electronically operated "hide" officers found in the center console area, Pappalardo said.
The occupants of the other car were released after a search by police found no drugs, Pappalardo said.
