Police Charge Forty in Bellingham Square Drug Sweep

 The Chelsea Police Department Drug Unit, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police and the Everett Police Department last week began serving 40 arrest warrants on individuals as part of a three-month undercover operation named “Crack Down”.

The operation targeted drug dealing and distribution in the Bellingham Square area. The Chelsea Police Department Drug Unit secured 40 arrest warrants from a Chelsea District Court Magistrate and Grand Jury Indictments issued from Suffolk Superior Court based on evidence of hand to hand drug deals made with undercover officers. Those arrested will face charges ranging from Distribution to Trafficking.

Teams of officers saturated the Bellingham Square area Friday morning and arrested 10 of the 40 individuals on warrants for illegal distribution of cocaine and heroin.

Chief Brian Kyes said, “The Chelsea Police Department will continue to employ all of its resources in combating all illegal activity in the city.”

He added, “I am confident that the remaining individuals will be arrested in the near future and am hopeful that those arrested will face severe court sanctions.”

The Chelsea Police want to the make the public aware that they will see an increase in police presence and will continue to work with the courts to designate the Bellingham Square area as part of “Crime Free Zone.”

The Crime Free Zone initiative will ask the courts to impose strict parole and probation restrictions in having those arrested not return to the area or face arrest and harsher sentencing.

Chelsea residents are reminded they can provide information anonymously to the Police Department by calling the 24-hour Crime Stoppers TIP line at 617-466-4880. Anonymous web tips can also be submitted right from the Police Departments website at www.chelseapolice.com.

Arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Friday and Tuesday on those indictments were:

  • ANTHONY AGOSTINI (D.O.B. 6/15/65) of Chelsea, held on $15,000 bail on charges of distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense and being an habitual offender;
  • SHAHEED BAKER (D.O.B. 6/17/85) of Chelsea, held on $5,000 bail on distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense and distribution of a Class B substance within 100 feet of a park;
  • JONATHAN BELTON (D.O.B. 5/6/74), who lists a Boston homeless shelter as his residence, held on $10,000 bail on two counts of distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense;
  • ASIA GALVIN (D.O.B. 6/17/86) of East Boston, held on $5,000 bail on two counts of distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense and a single count of distribution of a Class B substance within 100 feet of a park, and an additional $3,000 bail for a probation violation;
  • JOSE PAGAN (D.O.B. 6/26/74) of Chelsea, held on $5,000 bail on three counts of distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense, and single counts of distribution of a Class A substance as a subsequent offense, conspiracy to violate the state’s drug laws, and distribution of a Class B substance within 100 feet of a park;
  • ANDRE SKINNER (D.O.B. 6/26/92) of Chelsea, held on $4,000 bail on two counts of distribution of a Class B substance and one count of distribution of a Class B substance within 100 feet of a park; and
  • KENDRICK TATE (D.O.B. 3/28/80) of Chelsea, held on $3,000 bail on charges of distribution of a Class B substance as a subsequent offense and distribution of a Class B substance within 100 feet of a park.

All were ordered to stay away from Bellingham Square.

The remaining 17 defendants were arraigned on charges of distribution of a Class B substance and similar offenses yesterday and Friday in Chelsea District Court, where Judge Matthew Nestor set bails ranging from personal recognizance to $1,500.  Eleven of the defendants were ordered to stay away from Bellingham Square entirely; one was ordered not loiter in the area.

Investigators utilized controlled buys and executed numerous search warrants during the three-month long investigation.  Police seized more than 60 grams of crack cocaine, more than 30 grams of heroin, and upwards of $10,000 in cash.

“While Operation Crackdown targeted the sale of drugs in one small area, it will improve the quality of life for people who live and work across Chelsea and the surrounding area,” DA Dan Conley said. “These arrests illustrate a dedicated and meticulous effort to address the open sale of drugs – specifically targeting repeat offenders – and the problems drug crimes present in our communities. This was a multiagency effort, but Chelsea Police in particular did an outstanding job on behalf of the community. This was great work by officers, detectives, and administrators.”

Prosecutors expect additional defendants to be arraigned in both the district and superior courts.

The defendants will return to court on various dates throughout October, November, and December.

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