|
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: STEVE O’CONNELL APRIL 7, 2008 (978) 745-6610, EXT. 5077
SIX PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO DRUG TRAFFICKING
Six people arrested in Lynn for allegedly trafficking 84 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $8.4 million, pleaded not guilty today in Lynn District Court. The defendants were each charged with trafficking cocaine over 200 grams. If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of 20 years in state prison, with a minimum mandatory term of 15 years. Judge James L. LaMothe, Jr., set bail in the amount of $1 million on defendants Sergio Valdovinos, 42, of Boston, MA, and Modesto M. Castillo, 41, of Chicago, Illinios; $500,000 on Raul H. Cortinas, 37, of Mission, Texas, and Guille Garcia, 32, of Mexico; $100,000 on Adam Alcala, 40, of Benton, Arkansas; and $50,000 on Rafael M. Mercedes, 44, of Roxbury, MA. All of the defendants were ordered to return to court on May 6 for a probable cause hearing. 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 the arrests were State Police assigned to the Revere Barracks, and members of the State Police Canine Unit. At about 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 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 pickup 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 of the three vehicles were arrested without incident.
|
|
|