Investigation leads to drug, gun bust in Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY — An investigation by the Tewksbury Police Narcotics Unit led to the arrest of an alleged drug dealer from Lawrence, and the seizure of narcotics, a firearm, ammunition, and nearly $7,300 in cash, according to authorities.

Jan Paul Baerga-Mariani, 29, was arraigned on Tuesday in Lowell District Court on a number of drug and gun charges. Judge Zachary Hillman held the Lawrence resident without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing, scheduled on Wednesday.

The Tewksbury Police Department said Baerga-Mariani is a fugitive from justice on three outstanding warrants from courts in Lowell and Lawrence. He is also being held on a full extradition warrant for a domestic violence case out of a court in Puerto Rico.

According to police, detectives found Baerga-Mariani in possession of nearly 210 grams of cocaine, and two pill bottles containing prescription drugs for which he is allegedly not prescribed.

Police also alleged finding him with a 9mm handgun with a serial number that had been removed. The weapon was loaded with a 13-round magazine. Police said they also uncovered in Baerga-Mariani’s possession more than three dozen loose 9mm bullets, a 10-round magazine containing five rounds, and a 15-round magazine containing eight rounds.

According to court documents, he also had $7,282 cash, which was attributed to drug-sale proceeds and seized.

“This is a great example of solid detective work and interagency cooperation by our local drug task force. I am grateful for the hard work by all involved,” Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus said in a press release about the arrest. “Special thanks to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and NEMLEC SWAT for their assistance.”

Baerga-Mariani is charged with trafficking in 200 grams or more of cocaine, possession of a large capacity firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number in the commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, possession of a Class E substance, carrying a firearm without a license, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license.

Baerga-Mariani’s attorney, Christopher Spring, was not immediately available for comment.

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