TEWKSBURY — An investigation into drug distribution at the Motel 6 led to the arrest of three people Monday.
Tewksbury police charged Diquane Settles, 23, of Lowell, with distribution of a Class B substance (cocaine); Laura Jean Pietrantoni, 43, homeless, with possession of a class B substance (cocaine); and Joanne Mackenzie, 43, homeless, with possession of a Class A substance (fentanyl), according to a police press release.
Mackenzie also had two outstanding warrants for assault with a dangerous weapon and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, the release states.
With help from Motel 6 management, detectives were able to identify Mackenzie and Pietrantoni while investigating drug-distribution activities at the Main Street motel, police say.
After several hours of police surveillance, a drug transaction between Pietrantoni and Settles was observed at a nearby convenience store parking lot, according to police. A motor vehicle stop was conducted by police and the pair were arrested.
A short time later, Mackenzie arrived at the Motel 6 in possession of fentanyl, police say.
The three were scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Tuesday. According to Elizabeth Vlock, spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Settles was released on his own recognizance by Judge Daniel Crane. He is slated to reappear in court Feb. 26.
Pietrantoni and Mackenzie failed to appear in court, Vlock said.
Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis
