Haverhill Police seized suspected fentanyl, a crack pipe, a knife and other paraphernalia when arresting two men at the River Street Dunkin’ Donuts this week.
Twenty-eight-year-old John Clarke of Ipswich, and 29-year-old Brian Dow of Amesbury, were taken into custody just after 6 p.m. July 29 after narcotics detectives working in uniform in unmarked cruisers saw Clarke park and enter the shop while Dow waited outside in the car.
According to Det. Dana Burrill, Clarke appeared nervous when approached inside the coffee shop, making furtive eye movements “as if looking for an opening to run.” When searched by police, Clarke was found to be in possession of a knife and two bags of suspected fentanyl.
Passenger Dow initially refused to give police his name—perhaps due to an outstanding drugged driving-related warrant—but later complied.
As a result of the search, police seized a crack pipe that was found on the car dashboard in plain view, along with a syringe from Dow’s pocket, along with a canvas Batman pouch containing prescription bottles of Adderall and Clonazepam bearing Clarke’s name. A digital scale and Xanax, Gabapentin and Oxycodone pills—for which he did not have a prescription—were also found.
At Haverhill District Court arraignment, Clarke was charged with one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Xanax, Oxycodone and Gabapentin, along with conspiracy to violate the drug laws. Dow faces one count of conspiracy to violate the drug law. Judge Patricia Dowling imposed a $1.00 bail fee for both men, who left court on personal recognizance before another hearing later this month.