GLOUCESTER — Chief Edward G. Conley reports that the Gloucester Police Department arrested and charged a man and woman with trafficking cocaine on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
RALPH CLERGE, AGE 23, OF LYNN and AMINATA BAJINKA, AGE 23, OF CHELSEA were each charged with:
- Trafficking in Cocaine
- Distribution of a Class B Substance (Ecstasy)
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (Two Counts)
Gloucester Police recently became aware of two individuals, later identified as CLERGE and BAJINKA, who were allegedly selling cocaine and ecstasy in town, and immediately began an investigation.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, Det. Lt. Michael Gossom and Sgt. Sean Conners, Det. Tom Quinn, Det. Jon Trefry and Det. Steve Mizzoni, conducted an undercover surveillance operation at the State Fish Pier off of Parker Street, where they believed a suspected drug deal was going to take place.
The operation resulted in police seizing approximately 21 grams of cocaine, nine ecstasy pills and $887, along with the arrests of CLERGE and BAJINKA.
A locked safe was discovered in the vehicle operated by the defendants. Detectives obtained a search warrant on Thursday, Jan. 16 and seized an additional $1,000 inside.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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