Newport woman charged with dealing Suboxone

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth police on Saturday charged a Newport woman with distributing Suboxone, the opioid addiction-relief prescription drug.

During an investigation into the sale of Suboxone, the Portsmouth Police Department’s detective division identified Sheyliz Nevarez, 37, of 90 Girard Ave., Apt. 151, as a suspect, according to a department statement Monday. Police said they received information that Nevarez was in the area with a quantity of Suboxone for distribution and set up surveillance. On Sept. 5, police observed Nevarez complete a drug transaction and obtained an arrest warrant for her, according to police.

When used correctly, Suboxone is intended to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms people have when they are recovering from opiate addiction, though it can also be abused to get high.

Newport police took Nevarez into custody Saturday about 8:30 p.m. and transferred her to Portsmouth police, according to the statement. She was charged with delivery of a Schedule III drug and held without bail by a justice of the peace Sunday. Nevarez entered no plea in District Court on Monday and was held without bail.