Drug Bust Nabs Local Dealers

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced today that a ten month multi-jurisdictional investigation into drug sales in Chelsea’s Bellingham Square paid off with the arrests of fourteen suspects last night and their arraignments this morning.

Investigators from the Suffolk DA’s office, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, and the police departments of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, and Medford executed a series of undercover drug buys beginning in October of last year and continuing through yesterday.  The arrests were part of Operation Clean the Clock II- the second set of stings named for the location’s historic landmark clock.

“Drug sales and the crimes that accompany them detract from the quality of life in any neighborhood.  Last night’s arrest paved the way for aggressive prosecution and further investigation,” Conley said. 

Each of the suspects, who range in age from 20 to 49, is alleged to have sold drugs to undercover officers in the Bellingham Square area- a school zone, under the law- on one or more dates during the extensive investigation.  Eleven are charged with distribution of cocaine, two are charged with the distribution of the prescription drug Klonopin, and one is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Bail was set today in amounts ranging from personal recognizance to $2,000 cash.

“Interagency cooperation was seamless throughout this investigation, which continued quietly and carefully for almost a year.  The efforts of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, and State Police were instrumental in building each one of these cases,” said Conley.