Boston man charged with distributing fentanyl in Lawrence

A Boston man was arrested Friday morning on charges of trafficking and distributing fentanyl following an investigation by a regional task force, officials said.

The man, Yasil Delossantos, 27, was also charged with possession of cocaine, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. Delossantos was arrested in Lawrence after surveillance officers say they observed him take a taxi to the site of a prearranged drug transaction.

According to officials, state police troopers, along with an FBI agent assigned to the task force, recovered about 60 grams of fentanyl that Delossantos allegedly distributed to two customers during the observed transaction.

The drug seizure began around 11 a.m. in the city’s Upper Tower Hill neighborhood, where the North Shore Gang Task Force was working, the statement said.

The task force observed a white Subaru Forester wagon with Maine license plates park itself on Warwick Street. A man later identified as Delossantos arrived via taxi, and after approaching the Subaru to conduct a suspected hand-to-hand transaction, Delossantos got back in the taxi.

FBI agents pursued the taxi. When it was pulled over, officials said, Delossantos allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and took off running. The agent was able to pursue Delossantos on foot and apprehend him.

State troopers were able to stop the Subaru and question the occupants, a 55-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. The pair, who weren’t identified by police, turned over 60 grams of fentanyl. Further investigation revealed they had been referred to Delossantos to purchase his drugs. They will be summoned to court to face drug charges.

Delossantos was booked at the Lawrence Police Station and will be arraigned at a later date in Lawrence District Court.

Kalina Newman can be reached at kalina.newman@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KalinaNewman.