Traffic Stop Leads to Heroin Charges

Two Lawrence men were arrested last week after police allegedly found them with heroin and over $2,000.

They were both released on personal recognizance by a district court judge the next day.

Pablo Mercedes-Jimenez, 40, and Jesus Mercedes-Veloz, 41, both of Lawrence, were arrested Wednesday morning following a traffic stop where police found heroin and wads of cash, according to a police report.

Mercedes-Jimenez was charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and operating with a suspended license; Mercedes-Veloz was charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and distributing a class A drug.

A Medford police officer patrolling the area of Fulton Street stopped the Lawrence men in a blue Dodge Stratus about 11:50 a.m. when Mercedes-Jimenez did not fully stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Fulton and Elm Streets, according to a police report.

When the car pulled over, the passenger could be seen rummaging beneath the seat, and when the office approached and ask for an ID the driver began rummaging through the center console and the passenger in the glove box, the report said.

The officer ordered both men out of the vehicle and searched them, the report said.

In the pants pocket of Mercedes-Veloz the officer found $1300 and a small plastic bag full of heroin, the report said. A search of the car turned up another $1,000 wrapped in toilet paper in a black leather bag in the car, the report said.

Both men were held overnight and arraigned in Somerville District Court Thursday morning, where Judge Maurice Flynn ordered they be released on personal recognizance and given a court date in October, according to court filings.