Police Charge Waltham Man With Cocaine Trafficking

WALTHAM, MA —A Waltham was man was caught with marijuana, cocaine, and more than $6,000 in his car because he was texting while driving, according to police. Officers arrested Friendly Grandoit, 40, on several charges, including cocaine trafficking, after stopping him in Stoneham during a pedestrian and bicycle safety program for texting behind the wheel, according to police.

Officials said Grandoit handed officers a fake Pennsylvania driver’s license when he was pulled over and that's what had police looking more closely at him.

Grandoit then opened his wallet, where police saw multiple piles of cash totaling more than $6,200. He also indicated that another form of identification was inside the car. During a search of his car, officers said they found an open bag of marijuana and nearly 20 grams of cocaine.

After Grandoit was taken into custody, police said officers found a Massachusetts identification card, credit cards and checks belonging to other people stashed in his shoe.

It was only upon fingerprinting him that police figured out who he was and uncovered an existing warrant for his arrest from the Medford Police Department on charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, trafficking of a class a substance over 18 grams, distribution of a Class B drug, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license (subsequent offense), and arrestee furnishing false identification to law enforcement.

Grandoit was slated to be arraigned in Woburn District Court on charges stemming from the Stoneham, including trafficking in cocaine over 18 grams, texting while driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license (subsequent offense), arrestee furnishing false identification information to law enforcement, possession/use of false/stolen RMV document, open container of marijuana in vehicle, identity fraud, and receiving stolen property under $1,200.

He was ordered on $100,000 pending arraignment.

"This is a great example of how observant officers can identify a simple traffic violation and ultimately arrest someone for trafficking dangerous drugs," McIntyre said.