MASHPEE: A Mashpee man was arrested Friday, May 29, for his role in allegedly attempting to smuggle 200 grams of heroin into town from Connecticut.
Working off a tip from a confidential informant, detectives from the Mashpee Police Department observed Scott Wessner, 34, of James Circle in Mashpee and Austin C. Friend, 32, of Pitchers Way in Hyannis leave Mr. Wessner’s residence at approximately 10 AM in a gray SUV registered to Mr. Friend. Police surveillance saw the vehicle cross state lines into Connecticut before returning to Mashpee at 3:38 PM.
Master Detective Michael A. Assad of the Mashpee Police Department then pulled the vehicle over at the entrance of John’s Pond Estates. The department’s narcotics K-9 unit arrived on the scene, at which point a black shopping bag containing 20 sandwich baggies of what amounted to 200 grams of heroin was found underneath the vehicle’s right rear passenger seat. According to a police report detailing the arrest, the heroin, which collectively had a street value of $20,000, was packaged for resale.
Mr. Wessner was charged with a subsequent offense of possession to distribute a Class A drug (heroin), trafficking in heroin/cocaine/opium (100 to 200 grams), and conspiracy to violate drug laws. After being booked, Mr. Wessner’s girlfriend reportedly attempted to post his $20,000 bail with $19,000 in cash that was wrapped with elastic bands. The money was confiscated by police. Mr. Wessner, who is on probation until August 26 stemming from a prior charge of possession of a Class A drug, is being held at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.
Mr. Friend was charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws and being present where heroin is kept. His bail was set at $5,000. Both Mr. Wessner and Mr. Friend are due to appear back in Falmouth District Court on June 29.
