Police Drug Bust Nets 2 Arrests, Over $40K, Illegal Gun, Heroin

– Allison Goldsberry

On Friday afternoon Medford Police arrested two suspects and seized over $40,000, an illegal hand gun, and more than fifty grams of heroin. According to information released by police, Friday’s drug bust was the result of an ongoing illegal heroin distribution investigation and involved the DEA Task Force, Everett Police, and the Cambridge Police Narcotics Unit.

Medford Police already had a search warrant for the residence of one of the suspects, 45-year-old Medford resident Michael Puntonio. Before police searched his 22 Mayberry Avenue apartment, they saw Puntonio allegedly engaging in a “narcotics transaction” at Main and Wareham Streets with 46-year-old Chelsea resident Alexis Delvalle. Both men were arrested and the subsequent search of Puntonio’s apartment yielded the money, gun, ammunition, and heroin, according to police.

Puntonio is charged with Possession with intent to Distribute Class A (Heroin) subsuquent offense, Trafficking in Class A (heroin), Possession of a Firearm w/o FID Card (subsuquent offense), Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws. Mr. Delvalle is charged with Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws.

Both suspects are expected to be arraigned in Somerville District Court on Monday.