Two Men Arrested for Drug Possession in Worcester

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester Police arrested two men for possession of drugs while conducting undercover surveillance in the area of Vernon Hill on Monday.

David Natal, 46, was charged with Possession of Class A Substance with the Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Class A Substance.

Milton Rivera, 54, as charged with Possession of Class A Substance and Resisting arrest.

The Incident

On Monday, February 26, 2018, at approximately 12:00 p.m., members of the WPD Vice Squad were working undercover in the Vernon Hill area. The officers were conducting surveillance to address open-air drug dealing.

At this time one of the vice officers observed two males that had met in the area of Seymour Street. Vice officers were set up in the immediate area and began to watch the two. At one point during the surveillance, a male, later identified as Natal, of 49 Perry Avenue, was seen handing something to a male that was later identified as Rivera of 88 Ward Street, Worcester. Rivera was then seen handing Natal money.

After the transaction was made, the two men separated.

Vice officers approached Rivera. He attempted to push the officer away and made a clenched fist. Fearing that he was about to be assaulted, the officer knocked Rivera to the ground. The officer saw one bag that contained heroin fall to the ground. A second bag of heroin was still in the hands of Rivera. At this time Rivera placed the second bag of heroin into his mouth and swallowed it. The officer placed Rivera under arrest and was able to secure the one bag of heroin.

Other vice officers stopped Natal on Seymour Street. A search of Natal produced $84.00 in cash. The two bags of heroin that Rivera had have a street value of $80.00. It is typical for street level drug dealers to possess only the amount of heroin to be delivers to minimize the amount of cash that they will carry on them in case of being stopped by police or being robbed during the drug transaction.

Officers placed Natal under arrest. A search warrant for Natal’s residence was applied for and approved. A search of Natal’s apartment was conducted at 4:25 p.m.. The search produced 5.2 grams of heroin, an electronic scale, packaging materials, and $50.00 in cash.