|
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: STEVE O’CONNELL APRIL 5, 2008 (978) 745-6610, EXT. 5077
LYNN DRUG BUST NETS SIX ARRESTS AND 84 KILOS OF COCAINE
Police arrested six people and seized 84 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $8.4 million, this afternoon in Lynn. The defendants, who are being held without bail until their arraignment Monday in Lynn District Court, are from Mexico, Texas, Chicago, Arkansas, and Boston. Charged with trafficking cocaine over 200 grams, and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act, are Modesto M. Castillo, 41, of Chicago, Illinois; Raul H. Cortinas, 37, of Mission, Texas; Adam Alcala, 40, of Benton, Arkansas; Rafael M. Mercedes, 44, of Roxbury, MA; Sergio Valdovinos, 42, of Boston; and a woman, Guille Garcia, 32, of Mexico. The arrests and drug seizure came as the result of a two-year investigation, spearheaded by the Essex County Drug Task Force assigned to the Office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett. The unit was assisted in the investigation by Lynn Police and the DEA. Also taking part in this afternoon’s arrests were State Police assigned to the Revere Barracks, and members of the State Police Canine Unit. At about 2 p.m. today, police set up surveillance on the Lynnway and saw a flat bed tractor trailer unit pull into a parking lot. There, they saw individuals offload kilos of cocaine and put them into suitcase-like containers, which were then put into a pick-up truck. Those two vehicles, along with one other car involved in the operation, then left the parking lot but were quickly stopped by police. All six occupants were arrested without incident. If convicted of trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine, the defendants face up to 20 years in state prison, with a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years.
|
|
|