Fall River man, woman face heroin trafficking charge

Two Fall River residents are being held for dangerousness hearings next week after being charged with trafficking heroin.

FALL RIVER — Two Fall River residents are being held for dangerousness hearings next week after being charged with trafficking heroin.

The Fall River Police Department's Vice and Intelligence Unit, which investigates local drug cases, executed a search warrant last Friday for an apartment at 539 Fourth St. The warrant named Jesus Velez-Ibarra, 21, and Montanna Fernandes, 20, as the targets, according to court documents.

Detectives entered the apartment, and reported seizing 369 grams of suspected heroin, some of it hidden inside a tub of dog food and behind a picture frame. Police also reported seizing $6,690 in cash, a digital scale and alleged packaging materials, according to court documents.

Both Velez-Ibarra and Fernandes were arrested and charged with trafficking heroin. They were arraigned Friday in Fall River District Court, and ordered held in lieu of dangerousness hearings on Aug. 7.

Email Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com