Tewksbury Police Arrest Two On Drug Charges

TEWKSBURY, MA — A Manchester man and a Lowell man were arrested Tuesday after Tewksbury detectives saw what they believed to be a drug deal between the two, according to the Tewksbury Police Department.

59-year-old Craig Pickering of Manchester, New Hampshire, was charged with distribution of a Class B substance and three counts of possession with intent to distribute for the fentanyl, cocaine and suboxone police say they found him with.

42-year-old Jason Ricciarelli of Lowell, Massachusetts, was charged with possession of a Class B substance. Police later discovered Ricciarelli was wanted in Lowell on an arrest warrant and charged him with an outstanding warrant.

Police said they saw a drug deal between Ricciarelli and Pickering in the area of 1795 Andover Street Tuesday evening and arrested both men on the scene.

Both Pickering and Ricciarelli were arraigned in the Lowell District Court on Wednesday.

Since all four of Pickering's charges would be subsequent offenses, they carry heavy penalties. Pickering could face up to 15 years in prison for his distribution charge, and up to fifteen years each for two of his possession with intent charges. His third possession with intent charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 and a half years in state prison and a fine of $2,500.

Ricciarelli could face up to a year in jail and fines of up to $1,000 for his possession charge. No further information was immediately available for his outstanding warrant charge.