Winthrop Police Arrest Man on Fentanyl Distribution Charges

Chief Terence Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department arrested a man today and charged him with selling the deadly drug fentanyl.

Nicholas Vaccaro, age 25, of Winthrop has been charged with:

• Distribution of a Class A Substance — Fentanyl (Four Counts)

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance — Fentanyl (One Count)

Winthrop Police arrested Vaccaro following an in-depth investigation into reports of suspicious activity near Vaccaro’s residence on Grandview Avenue. Through that investigation, officers determined that Vaccaro was selling fentanyl, and made his arrest a priority.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and heroin.

This morning, police executed a search warrant at Vaccaro’s residence, during which police seized fentanyl, a scale, packing materials, illegal narcotic paraphernalia and cash.

“Community concerns do not go unheard, and this investigation is an example of the importance of seeing something and saying something so that we can take these extremely dangerous drugs off our streets,” Chief Delehanty said. “Thank you to the residents who shared their observations with us, and thank you to Chief Mazzie and the Everett Police Department for their assistance in this case.”

This investigation was made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Charles E. Shannon Grant.

Vaccaro is scheduled to be arraigned in East Boston District Court tomorrow and is currently being held pending the establishment of bail.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.