DRACUT — Chief Peter Bartlett reports that the Dracut Police Department charged a Lowell man with trafficking cocaine and other charges as a result of a proactive traffic stop.

ANTHONY DIXON, AGE 45, OF LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

• Trafficking Cocaine (Over 36 Grams)
• Operating with a Suspended License (Subsequent Offense)
• Speeding
• Distribution of a Class B Substance
• Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

On Monday, Feb. 17, at approximately 11 p.m., Officer Andrew Gys stopped a vehicle that he observed speeding in the area 26 Pleasant St.

A subsequent investigation determined that the driver, identified as DIXON, was driving with a suspended license.

DIXON was taken into custody, and a search of his person located a small bag of crack cocaine.

A subsequent inventory search of DIXON’s vehicle located approximately 58 grams of crack cocaine, 37 grams of marijuana wrapped in multiple baggies, and $582 in cash.

DIXON was booked at the Dracut Police Station and was arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court, where he was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.

DIXON is due back in Lowell District Court on March 11.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

DRACUT – Chief Bartlett reports that the Dracut Police Department responded to a vehicle that had gone into the Merrimack River on Friday evening.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, Dracut Police and Fire were dispatched to the area of 189 Merrimack Avenue following a report of a car off the road and into the river. Upon arrival, first responders located a Tesla sedan approximately 50 feet from shore in the water.

The driver was out of the vehicle upon police arrival and reported that he had exited the car prior to it accidentally rolling into the river. Due to conflicting accounts regarding how the vehicle entered the water, the Lowell Dive Team was requested to assist in confirming that no other occupants were inside.

Divers entered the river and determined that the vehicle was unoccupied. The team remained on scene to assist with the vehicle’s recovery from the river.

No injuries were reported, and no charges have been filed at this time. The Dracut Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, but it appears to be accidental.

DRACUT — Chief Peter Bartlett is pleased to report that the Dracut Police Department is recognizing the career of K9 Viper, who recently retired, and welcoming K9 Rogan to the department.

K9 Viper has served with the Dracut Police Department and his partner, Officer Zach Coleman, for 11 years, and was certified as a Patrol and Narcotics Detection K9. Viper had hundreds of deployments over the course of his career, and located numerous missing persons and suspects.

Officer Coleman and Viper were part of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) K9 Unit for nine years, and assisted with various search and rescue and SWAT missions.

Viper retired on Dec. 21, and is now living at home with Officer Coleman, where he will enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

Officer Coleman will now partner with K9 Rogan, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois that was acquired by Dracut Police on Dec. 23 from East Coast K9.

Officer Coleman and Rogan completed the Boston Police K9 Academy on Jan. 24, and were certified to track missing persons, suspects, and to conduct building searches, evidence recovery, area searches, and apprehensions. Rogan also learned aggression control and obedience.

Officer Coleman and Rogan are now on duty, but will continue to train at the Boston Police K9 Academy to obtain an explosive ordinance detection certification, which will enable Rogan to also locate firearms and explosives.

Officer Coleman will also remain part of the NEMLEC K9 Unit, with Rogan as his new partner.

In one of his first nights on duty, Rogan tracked the scent of a shoplifting suspect from a local store to a home in town, and an investigation into the incident is now expected to lead to charges.

“Rogan is a very energetic K9 that enjoys searching and being rewarded with his toys,” said Officer Coleman. “Rogan displays high focus and clear-headedness, coupled with his high drive and attentiveness, making him a great police K9.  Rogan has been a joy to train with and I am very excited to see what an asset he will be to our department.”

“Officer Coleman is an experienced and professional K9 handler, and we could not be more pleased so far by the performance of his new partner, K9 Rogan,” said Chief Bartlett. “We are pleased to introduce this newest member of Dracut Police to our community.”