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Drug task force arrests two on trafficking charges

Orange residents face drug charges in Belchertown District Court
Posted on: December 30, 2021 - 3:54pm
Orange residents arrested in connection with drug sales operation

BELCHERTOWN – After an investigation spanning several months, police with the Northwestern District Attorney’s Drug Task Force on Tuesday, Dec. 28, arrested two Orange residents in connection with a suspected drug trafficking operation run out of their home on Perry Road.

The suspects, Scott Berry, 44, and Jennifer Pierson, 31, both of 60 Perry Road, pleaded not guilty to related charges in Belchertown District Court on Wednesday. Bail was set at $2,500 for Berry and $1,000 for Pierson and their cases were continued until Jan. 31, 2022.

Berry faces charges of trafficking in fentanyl more than 10 grams; distribution of cocaine, subsequent offense and conspiracy to violate a drug law. Pierson faces charges of trafficking in fentanyl more than 10 grams; distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to violate a drug law and possession of oxycodone.

Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Veronice Santana represented the Commonwealth at the arraignment. Berry was represented by defense attorney John Drake and Pierson was represented by defense attorney Aliki Recklitis.

At the time of the arrest, the pair had been under surveillance for several months by the DA’s drug task force, including members of the Orange Police Department,  after authorities received numerous complaints about suspected drug sales at the residence. On Tuesday, officers observed Berry and Pierson leave their home and make brief stops in driveways and parking lots in Athol, Orange, Chicopee and Springfield, where they engaged in interactions that were brief and consistent with drug sales.

At about 8:15 p.m., the car being driven by Pierson in which Berry was a passenger pulled over to the side of Route 202 in Belchertown, where drug task force officers approached the vehicle. Investigators seized from the car approximately 1,150 bags of suspected fentanyl, 9 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and a single oxycodone pill.

The case remains under investigation.

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Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.