Joint Narcotics Operation Leads to Arrest of Peabody Man

A joint police task force descended on a downtown Peabody apartment Friday morning and arrested a Peabody man on charges of drug violations and illegal possession of a gun.

Peabody Police Detective and spokesman Michael Crane said officers executed a search warrant at 2 Munroe Ct. #1 at approximately 5 a.m. and seized a semi-automatic handgun, narcotics and cash. They also arrested 28-year-old Joel Ayala.

Crane said Friday's arrest was a result of a lengthy narcotics investigation between Peabody and Salem detectives assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A SWAT team from the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and police K-9 units from Salem, Chelmsford and Westford assisted in executing the search warrant.

Ayala was charged with possession to distribute a Class A drug and possession of a firearm without a license. Crane did not disclose what type of substance(s) officers seized, but Class A does include heroin, morphine, codeine and ketamine.

Crane said Ayala was processed at the Peabody Police Department and was due to be arraigned Friday in Peabody District Court.