ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis reports that the Essex Police Department arrested a man on multiple charges, including cocaine trafficking following a traffic stop yesterday afternoon.
PEDRO ORTIZ, AGE 47, OF PEABODY was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking in Cocaine, 100 Grams or More, Less than 200
- Disguise to Obstruct Justice
- Motor Vehicle Operator Refusing to Identify Himself
- Speeding
- Marked Lanes Violation
- Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Suspended License (Subsequent Offense)
At 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, Essex Police were made aware by Ipswich Police that a vehicle driven by ORTIZ, who is known to police to have a suspended license, was traveling into Essex. An Officer subsequently located a Jeep Patriot matching the description provided by Ipswich Police and traveling eastbound at a rate of speed higher than the posted limit.
The officer also observed the vehicle cross the center lines, and subsequently stopped the vehicle on Eastern Avenue before Haskell Court.
Essex Police then initiated an on-scene investigation, during which ORTIZ allegedly provided officers with conflicting information about who owned the vehicle he was driving, as well as his address and his identity.
As their investigation continued, officers observed that the vehicle’s center console was open and that multiple bags containing suspected crack cocaine were plainly visible. Additionally, a mechanism typically used to hide drugs was visible and contained additional suspected crack cocaine.
Officers also located a COVID-19 vaccination card and a plane ticket for a flight to the Dominican Republic next month — both allegedly bearing names that differed from the ones ORTIZ provided on-scene. Additionally, officers located a large quantity of cash, two cell phones and a pocket knife. Officers later weighed the crack cocaine located inside the vehicle, which totaled 164 grams. The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is $8,000.
Ipswich and Gloucester Police supported the investigation as well.
ORTIZ was taken into custody as a result of the traffic stop, and was subsequently held without bail pending his arraignment in Gloucester District Court, which was scheduled for today.
