LAWRENCE, Mass. — Two young children were at a state-licensed day care center when police found “numerous” bags of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and a local man is now facing drug trafficking charges, the district attorney said Monday.
Antonio “Tony” Solano, 40, of Lawrence, pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Monday in Lawrence District Court, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a statement. Judge Carol Ann Fraser set bail at $25,000.
Solano is charged with trafficking in 36 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of a Class B substance, and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, Tucker said.
Solano was charged after police found a variety of suspected drugs in the Sixta Child Daycare on Ames Street on Friday, Tucker said. The district attorney did not disclose Solano’s connection, if any, to the day care center, or where the drugs were found in the center.
According to online state records, Sixta Peralta Nunez operates the day care center, which provides day care for up to six children on the first floor of 346 Ames St. The state renewed the license for the day care facility on June 30, 2023, after it was first licensed on June 30, 2008.
On Friday, state police detectives assigned to Tucker’s office, the Massachusetts State Police Northshore Gang Unit, and Lawrence Police detectives executed a search warrant at the day care “that yielded numerous plastic bags of suspected drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine,” Tucker said. Two young children were present at the day care when police executed the search warrant.
Solano is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 3 for a probable cause hearing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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