On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, officers assigned to the Drug Control Unit of District D-14 (Allston/Brighton) arrested Dante Starks, 42, of Boston, for multiple drug violations.
At about 4:40 PM, officers were conducting a drug investigation in the area of Harvard Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. Observations were made of an individual on an electric scooter to be weaving in and out of oncoming traffic. The individual was seen to stop multiple times, to make or receive phone calls.
Surveillance was maintained on the individual who was now seen to stop his scooter in the area of 370 Western Avenue. The individual continued to look at his phone and scan the parking lot, appearing to be looking for someone.
A vehicle was seen to park a significant distance from the area, and a male approached the location. Both males were now seen to be at the exit doors of the McDonald’s. The individuals extended their hands towards one another which appeared to be an apparent hand-to-hand drug transaction. The two males separated and walked in different directions.
One male entered the nearby Star Market who was quickly stopped by a Detective. The suspect was advised of the reason for the stop, and recovered a plastic bag of crack cocaine. He was advised he would be summonsed to court for Possession of Class B.
As officers approached the second suspect sitting in his vehicle, he immediately attempted to roll up the windows. Officers were able to open the vehicle doors, and commanded the suspect to exit, which he refused to comply with.
After multiple attempts, officers were able to remove the suspect from the vehicle, and a struggle ensued. The suspect resisted by pushing officers, and refusing to put his hands behind his back. The officers issued multiple verbal commands to the suspect to stop resisting. The suspect continued to resist, and after a lengthy struggle, the suspect was placed into handcuffs.
Officers searched the suspect and his vehicle, and recovered approximately 1,061 grams of cocaine, 86 grams of powder cocaine, 125 grams of crack cocaine, 400 grams of crushed Adderall, and numerous non-prescription pills.
Further evidence that was recovered was a money counter, two digital scales, five cell phones, drug packaging material, and approximately $16,966 in U.S. currency.
Starks was placed under arrest and is expected to be arraigned in Brighton District Court for the following charges:
▪ Trafficking of Class B, 200 Grams or More
▪ Distribution of Class B, Subsequent Offense
▪ Five Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B, Subsequent Offense
▪ Possession with Intent to Distribute Class C, Subsequent Offense
▪ Two Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Class E, Subsequent Offense
▪ Resisting Arrest