Weymouth woman inicted on fentanyl charges – News – The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

DEDHAM — A Norfolk County Grand Jury has indicted a Weymouth woman accused of dealing fentanyl.

Melissa A. Edwards, 28, was indicted on trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and two counts of possession of prescription drugs.

The indictment transfers her case from Quincy District Court to Norfolk Superior Court where more serious crimes are tried and defendants can face longer sentences if convicted.

Police said that they began getting information about Edwards selling fentanyl and heroin starting in November. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid cousin to heroin that is more potent and police say carries a greater risk of overdose. Police said that through surveillance and anonymous tips they began to believe that Edwards was dealing opioids to several people in Weymouth, according to a police report filed with court.

Police said on Jan. 3 they observed Edwards get out of a car and make an exchange over a fence in a lot on Washington Street. Police spoke to the other person in the transaction who admitted to buying opioids from Edwards. Police said they pulled over the car Edwards was in and arrested her. Police said she had 23.7 grams of fentanyl and heroin on her separated into several small plastic bags.

Police said that they found a scale, unused plastic bags and other drug dealing items in Edwards’s bag. Police said they also found that Edwards had several prescription drugs on her including 29 pills of clonazepam, three pills of alprazolam and two pills of quetiapine. All three drugs treat different mental health issues, but can be used illicitly.

She was arraigned in Quincy District Court Jan. 7 and released after posting $250 bail.

Edwards is also facing a separate fentanyl trafficking charge in district court stemming from a March 6 arrest. Weymouth Police spent two months continuing to investigate Edwards and said they watched her and an accomplice make multiple drug deals from Queen Anne’s Drive in Weymouth and other places around town. The women were stopped on Winter Street in  March after police followed them to Boston, where Edwards later admitted to picking up fentanyl from a supplier, according to a police report.