WESTFORD — A Westford man has pled guilty to trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute.
Mark Garcia, 35, pled guilty to multiple charges, including trafficking methamphetamine of more than 36 grams, trafficking cocaine of more than 36 grams and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
“The defendant in this case was in possession of a wide variety and quantity of controlled substances, along with packaging materials, a firearm and a large quantity of cash,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan in a press release. “This case is an example of how we are focusing our efforts on prosecuting individuals who seek solely to profit from the distribution of drugs in our community.”
According to the press release, Westford detectives received numerous anonymous tips in March 2021 reporting that Garcia was working as a pharmacy technician, where he had access to pharmaceuticals. The release notes he was suspected of dealing narcotics out of his residence on Cold Spring Road.
The name of the pharmacy was not released. WestfordCAT reached out to Westford Police Department’s Record Department and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Press Office and left a voicemail at both departments.
“I want to applaud the great work and professional collaboration by all of the agencies involved to take a significant amount of dangerous narcotics off the street,” said Westford Police Chief Mark Chambers in a press release. “I especially want to thank the Westford Special Services Division for their work on this case.”
In conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Boston Tactical Diversion Squad, the Westford Police Department executed a search warrant on April 7, 2021 at Garcia’s residence.
Officers found a scale and individual “deal bags” that are “consistent with drug transactions,” according to law enforcement. Officers seized $31,876 in cash, one firearm, cocaine, marijuana, LSD, two bottles of codeine, ketamine, methamphetamine, crushed amphetamine, amphetamine pills, oxycodone pills, THC edibles and MDMA.
Garcia was sentenced to six to eight years in state prison with three years probation. He must also seek substance abuse evaluation and treatment, seek and maintain employment and to not have any employment where pharmaceuticals are dispensed, according to the release.
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