Massive Fentanyl Bust At Salem Mall: Police

SALEM, NH — Salem police said they arrested a Massachusetts man with a massive amount of heroin and fentanyl at The Mall at Rockingham Park during the busy holiday shopping week. Francisco Pena, 25, of Boston, was arrested Thursday after police said they found him with 220 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl and five grams of cocaine. He was charged with fentanyl possession with intent to distribute and cocaine possession.

Salem Police Capt. Joel Dolan said Pena was the target of a "lengthy" investigation. On Thursday afternoon, Pena drove up from Massachusetts with the massive drug stash in his gold Honda Accord and stopped in the mall parking lot where officers were waiting, Dolan said. He was arrested on the spot.

Dolan said the arrest holds added significance as the state grapples with the opioid crisis.

"To get any amount of drugs off the street from a dealer is a good thing," Dolan told Patch. "Hopefully it prevents one overdose."

Pena was held in custody overnight at the Rockingham County Jail pending an arraignment Friday in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Photo: Francisco Pena's mugshot following his arrest Dec. 20, 2018 in Salem. At right are bags of fentanyl police said they found on him. (Credit: Salem Police Department)