PEABODY — An early Tuesday morning raid by a SWAT team netted $18,000 worth of fentanyl and several loaded illegal weapons, according to police.
Shawn C. Spaneas, 26, was arrested without incident by Peabody police as the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council’s Special Weapons and Tactics force converged on 50 Warren St.
Police confiscated 171 grams of fentanyl, two loaded firearms, a .38-caliber revolver and a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, 39 rounds of ammunition, $31,460 in cash, scales and packaging consistent with the sale of illegal drugs.
“The SWAT team was used in the arrest as a precaution because the suspect has been convicted of firearms offenses,” said Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin.
During a 10-month investigation, police observed fentanyl purchases being made at Spaneas’ apartment. A search warrant was approved by Peabody District Court.
He is charged with possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, carrying a firearm without a firearms license for the second time, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a Firearms Identification Card, trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, and unlawful possession of fireworks.
While Peabody is a safe community, the chief said there are criminals seeking to profit from people who are battling addiction.
“We will continue to work diligently with all state and local law enforcement and social service agencies in a continued effort to fight the opiate epidemic,” Griffin said.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug was developed for cancer patients to manage pain. It is applied as a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, fentanyl has found its way onto the streets by drug dealers, police said.
DEA says it produces intense, temporary feelings of euphoria. But it also slows respiration, reduces blood pressure and can cause fainting, seizures and even death. Its street names include Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Poison and Tango & Cash.
