This morning, investigators from Chelsea and Everett police departments executed simultaneous drug control warrants at 262 Maple Street and 79 Garland Street Apt#2 in Chelsea. The operation resulted in multiple arrests along with substantial seizures of heroin, cocaine, and US currency. Prior investigation had revealed that these two locations were operating in coordination to distribute drugs throughout both Chelsea and Everett.
Among the six individuals taken into custody, some possessed multiple identifications, complicating efforts to establish their true identities. Investigators continue examining this aspect of the case.
Charges will be filed against the arrested individuals in both Malden and Chelsea District Courts.
The Chelsea Police Department encourages residents to report crimes and suspicious activity through anonymous channels. Community members may contact the 24 hr “tips” line at 617-466-4880, email reports directly from the departments website at www.chelseapolice.com or download for free the MYPD App that is compatible with both Android and Apple smart phones. All three ways are monitored and totally anonymous.
Leader of MS-13 East Coast program pleads guilty
Defendant was recorded presiding over meeting of East Coast Program
Record Staff Report
Federal court in Boston saw the leader of the MS-13 East Coast Program enter a guilty plea on Nov. 27 to racketeering conspiracy.
Jose Adan Martinez Castro, a/k/a “Chucky,” 28, a Salvadoran national formerly residing in Richmond, Va., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
Sentencing has been scheduled by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV for Feb. 26, 2018.
Following three years of investigation, Castro appeared among 61 persons named in a superseding indictment that targeted criminal activities by alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts.
Individual branches or “cliques” of MS-13 that are grouped into “programs” throughout the United States are overseen by MS-13 leaders held in El Salvador. During the investigation, Castro was identified as the leader of MS-13’s East Coast Program. Castro was recorded on Dec. 13, 2015 conducting a meeting of East Coast Program clique leaders in Richmond, Va. The meeting included discussions about sending money to El Salvador to support MS-13, strengthening gang unity and control, and the necessity of violent retaliation against those providing information to authorities.
Twenty-five defendants have been convicted, with Castro being the 25th.
Castro faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and deportation upon completion of his sentence.
State Trooper nabs two men with firearm, crack cocaine
Record Staff Report
An illegally possessed firearm, more than 100 rounds of illegally possessed ammunition, and illegal narcotics were seized following a motor vehicle stop by a Massachusetts State Trooper on the Parkway last week.
Route 16 westbound in Chelsea was where Trooper Joseph Barteaux observed a black Nissan Altima on the morning of November 21, operating in violation of motor vehicle laws and nearly striking another vehicle during an abrupt lane change.
The vehicle, driven by two brothers, entered a McDonald’s parking lot. Trooper Barteaux followed and initiated a stop. Upon questioning, the 22-year-old driver claimed they were returning to Randolph from his girlfriend’s house in Lynn. However, when asked to identify the street, the driver could not provide it.
Both men displayed signs of nervousness and appeared uncooperative. Trooper Barteaux ordered them from the vehicle. The 24-year-old passenger moved with an apparent limp, dragging his right leg. When questioned about an injury, he denied having one. Based on training and experience, the Trooper suspected the passenger was concealing something in his clothing and altering his gait to conceal it.
A cylinder was discovered concealed in the suspect’s pants despite his resistance to the search. Trooper James Maloney arrived and assisted in restraining the suspect. The suspect became agitated and attempted to escape, twisting his body with raised elbows and striking the Troopers. The officers brought the suspect to the ground. Trooper Barteaux drew his electronic control weapon and commanded the suspect to stop resisting; compliance followed, the weapon remained unfired, and custody was secured.
Inside the cylinder that Trooper Barteaux unscrewed was a large plastic bag containing a white rock substance believed to be crack cocaine.
Observing the black Nissan Altima, Trooper Barteaux noticed a black ski mask in a front door compartment. A loose plastic panel behind the front right passenger seat revealed a void. From his training and experience, the Trooper recognized this as a typical location for illegal contraband and reached inside, retrieving a plastic bag with 116 nine-millimeter rounds of ammunition and a black and silver Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm. Additionally, Trooper Maloney discovered a large roll of duct tape.
The Troopers transported both suspects to the State Police Barracks in Revere. During a subsequent search of the passenger’s person, additional bags were located containing a white rock substance believed to be cocaine, a brown powder believed to be heroin, and 21 purple pills believed to be Class B oxycodone. Cash exceeding $1,000, suspected to be proceeds from drug sales, was also recovered from the passenger.
The driver faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and making an unsafe lane change. The passenger was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, trafficking a Class B substance over 18 grams, and assault and battery on a police officer. Both were arraigned in Chelsea District Court.