Andover Police Bust an Alleged Drug Trafficker

ANDOVER -- Andover police arrested a 26-year-old Lawrence man who was allegedly armed and dealing drugs out of a hotel room where he was staying with two children.

Chay Jonathan Gonzalez-Mendez was charged with:

• Trafficking in Heroin Over 100 Grams
• Possession of a Firearm Used in a Felony
• Possession of Firearm without a License
• Unsecured Firearm
• Wanton or Reckless Behavior to a Child
• Receiving Stolen Property Over $250.

He was scheduled to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court on Monday.

On Saturday, Andover Police Detectives in the Substance Abuse Unit, along with assistance from Tewksbury Police Detectives, conducted an investigation into reports of narcotics sales on River Road in Andover.

Based on information received by detectives over the course of their investigation, it was determined that an individual, later identified as Gonzalez-Mendez was allegedly selling heroin in the area.

The investigation determined that he was allegedly running his operation out of a hotel room in that area.

Andover Detectives were able to secure a search warrant for the hotel room where was staying with several other individuals.

During the investigation, detectives learned that the other occupants were juveniles, ages 14 and 17.
While executing the search warrant, detectives found a loaded Glock semi-automatic handgun, more than 100 grams of heroin and $1,000 cash.

A check on the gun determined that it had been stolen from Manchester, N.H. in 2012.

"This is a great example of teamwork between law enforcement agencies and street-level detective work that was executed in a methodical and professional manner, ultimately removing a dangerous drug dealer from our community," Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said.