NEW BEDFORD — A man wanted on multiple warrants was arrested Thursday, leading to the seizure of a significant quantity of drugs, a firearm, and ammunition, according to the New Bedford Police Department.
Detectives Jonathan Miranda and Jacob Rebello apprehended 41-year-old Jesse Soares near his residence at 16D Bayberry Road.
Soares, with seven active warrants for his arrest, had eluded police last month after a vehicle chase.
The arrest occurred around noon when detectives located Soares in his vehicle.
A subsequent search revealed “crack” cocaine, digital scales, and 9mm ammunition in his possession.
A search warrant executed at his home led to the discovery of over 650 grams of cocaine, 88 grams of fentanyl, and a Canik TP9SF handgun with a defaced serial number.
Soares was also in possession of two high-capacity magazines and more than 80 rounds of ammunition.
In total, $5,534 was seized, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking.
Soares has a criminal history that includes a five-year state prison sentence for an armed robbery in 2003 and a 10-year sentence for another armed robbery and possession of a sawed-off shotgun in 2011.
He now faces charges of cocaine trafficking over 200 grams, fentanyl trafficking over 36 grams, and being a felon in possession of a high-capacity firearm with a defaced serial number.
Under Massachusetts law, the cocaine trafficking charge alone could result in a minimum mandatory sentence of 12 years.
