At about 7:30 PM, on Friday, March 29, 2024, members of the Drug Control Unit of District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) and the City-Wide Drug Control Unit, arrested Isreal Alicea, 43, of Boston, on drug trafficking charges.
Officers were conducting an ongoing drug investigation in the area of 35 Northampton Street. Officers observed the target of their investigation, exit the front door of the building, and walk towards Washington Street.
Officers observed the suspect enter a motor vehicle that was idling with its hazard lights on. Officers observed the motor vehicle start to drive towards Melnea Cass Boulevard. The motor vehicle made several turns, and the suspect then exited the vehicle in the area of Ramsey Park. Officers believed that a street level drug transaction had taken place inside the motor vehicle.
Officers followed the vehicle, and conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of the Massachusetts Avenue Connector and Southampton Street. After further investigation, officers recovered multiple plastic bags believed to be fentanyl and cocaine.
Officers radioed to other officers of their findings, and were able to stop the target of the investigation in the area of 2300 Washington Street. Officers immediately placed the suspect into handcuffs, and recovered one large plastic bag of fentanyl, 38 plastic bags of fentanyl, and four plastic bags of cocaine. The fentanyl was later determined to weigh about 53 grams. Officers also recovered $309 in US currency.
Alicea was placed under arrest and charged with trafficking of class A, possession with intent to distribute class A, distribution of class A, and distribution of class B. He is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
The other suspect was summonsed for drug possession and released from the scene.