Cocaine Seized In Beverly Cabot Street Drug Bust

BEVERLY, MA — A Beverly man is facing cocaine possession and drug trafficking charges, and a Peabody man drug possession charges, after police said officers saw them using drugs in a Cabot Street parking lot on Wednesday night.

Police said they seized about 80 grams of cocaine in the bust.

Police said Jason Fullerton, 36, of Beverly, was charged after neighbor complaints of drug use in the area of 141 Cabot Street led to surveillance of the surrounding blocks. Police said they saw Fullerton enter the parking lot near the Union Club driving a grey pickup truck when a man police identified as Ludger Gauthier, 70, of Peabody, walked out of the building and got into Fullerton's truck.

Police said they saw both men "engaged in illicit narcotics use" when they then moved toward the truck. Police said Gauthier left the car and "attempted to discard a $20 bill rolled to resemble a straw and a baggy containing cocaine." Police said Fullerton then tried to drive away before detectives ordered him to stop and get out of the truck.

Following a search of Fullerton and his vehicle, police said, detectives recovered approximately 80 grams of cocaine and $867 cash.

Fullerton was set to be arraigned at Salem District Court on charges of trafficking cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute class B Cocaine

Gauthier was also charged with cocaine possession.