Pittsfield Couple Arrested for Trafficking Crystal Meth

A Pittsfield couple was arrested Sunday by local authorities for trafficking methamphetamine, also know as crystal meth, via bus from Louisiana.

According to The Berkshire Eagle, police were tipped off that Frankie New, 47, and his girlfriend, Leeann Otazo, 43, were heading back to The Berkshires from Louisiana and were carrying a large amount of crystal meth that they planned to sell.

When the couple arrived at the bus terminal at about 5:25 p.m., police searched Otazo and discovered about 48 grams of what was believed to be crystal meth, resulting in the arrests. New resisted being taken into custody.

Otazo and New pleaded not guilty in Central Berkshire District Court on Monday to charges of trafficking in methamphetamine between 36 and 100 grams and conspiracy.  New also faces a charge of resisting arrest; he also was arrested on a warrant connected to an open motor vehicle larceny case from September.

Judge Mark Pasquariello ordered them held pending dangerousness hearings Monday.