At about 7:00 PM, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, officers assigned to the Drug Control Unit of District A-7 (East Boston) arrested Juan Ortega Restrepo, 29, of Lynn, for drug trafficking.
Officers were on patrol in the area of 500 Border Street when they observed a motor vehicle pull over to the end of the ramp. Officers conducted an inquiry of the vehicle’s registration and determined that the owner of the vehicle did not have an active license.
Officers maintained surveillance of the vehicle and observed it back under the bridge. After approximately five minutes, an unknown male individual approached and entered the vehicle on the passenger side. Thirty seconds later, the individual exited the vehicle and walked towards an apartment building.
Officers believed that a street level drug transaction had transpired inside the vehicle. Officers requested assistance with a traffic stop, and were able to stop the vehicle in the area of 178 Border Street. Officers ordered the operator of the vehicle and placed him into handcuffs.
After further investigation, officers recovered eighteen bags of cocaine which was later determined to weigh approximately forty-five grams. Officers also recovered $514 in U.S. currency.
Ortega Restrepo was placed under arrest and is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court for the following charges:
– Trafficking of Class B
– Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle