Cranberry Plaza drug investigation leads to three arrests

Wareham police detectives conducting street-level narcotics enforcement Tuesday, March 31 observed a vehicle and its occupants engaged in suspected drug transactions at Cranberry Plaza, the East Wareham shopping center where stores like Stop and Shop and Cardi's Furniture reside.

Detectives approached the vehicle as it met with another vehicle in the parking lot and observed suspected crack cocaine and drug-related paraphernalia in plain view.

Nicholas Veelenturf, 38, of Harwich, was found in possession of a plastic lockbox and a large quantity of money. A search warrant iauthorized a search of the lockbox, where detectives found a large quantity of suspected cocaine, suspected fentanyl and various pills.

Veelenturf was charged with trafficking cocaine, 36 to 100 grams; two counts of distributing a Class B substance; possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance; and possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance.

Class A substances are considered the most dangerous. They are viewed as having a very high potential for abuse. Class B substances are also considered highly dangerous but may have some accepted medical use. This class includes drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and oxycodone.

Class C substances are seen as having a moderate potential for abuse and can include perscription medications. 

Corey Simpson, 35, of Buzzards Bay, was charged with possession of a Class E substance. John Cooney, 70, of East Wareham, was charged with possession of a Class B substance.

Class E substances are considered the least dangerous. These are typically prescription medications that have a low potential for abuse but are still illegal to possess without a prescription.

All three were arraigned April 1 in Wareham District Court.