The following is a brief summary pertaining to Incident #15062047:

 

Members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit initiated a drug investigation of Mr. Raul Landaverde and his alleged role in the ongoing distribution of Marijuana. The alleged distribution occurs from his residence located at 11 Alston Street, Somerville, MA 02145. This investigation was launched upon receiving intelligence and cooperation from a confidential source. 

 

At the conclusion of this drug investigation, a search warrant application was requested by me at the Somerville District Court on Friday, December 18, 2015. The search warrant (1510-SW-0085) was granted by the court authorizing the search of the following:

 

#1- The residence of 11 Alston Street, Somerville, MA 02145 (search warrant docket # 1510SW0085).

#2- The person of Raul Landaverde (search warrant docket # 1510SW0085).

 

On Friday, December 18, 2015, Sergeant Detective Rego along with Detectives Brioso, Legros, and I set up surveillance around 11 Alston Street. At approximately 3:00 P.M. I observed a silver Chrysler Pacifica, turn left onto Alston Street from Cross Street. This vehicle pulled over on the left hand side of the street as I noticed its passenger side taillight was out. As the Chrysler stopped, a white male, later identified as XXXXX, wearing a black sweatshirt came out of the front passenger side door. At the same time XXXXX came out of the Chrysler, I immediately saw Mr. Raul Landaverde come out the front door of 11 Alston Street. Mr. Landaverde and XXXXX walked toward each other and met directly in front of 11 Alston Street. I observed Mr. Landaverde and XXXXX exchange something quickly. Within a few seconds Mr. Landaverde returned to his residence as XXXXX returned to the silver Chrysler. Through my training and experience, I believed that Mr. Landaverde and XXXXX had just been involved in a street level drug transaction. The Chrysler quickly went into drive and started towards McGrath Highway from Alston Street. 

 

I kept a rolling surveillance of the silver Chrysler and radioed to Somerville control that I needed a marked cruiser to stop the Chrysler. I wanted this Chrysler stopped to initiate a threshold inquiry. As the vehicle travelled north on McGrath Highway, marked units East-1, Officers Canty and O’Brien, and East-2, Officer Pavao, were able to stop the silver Chrysler at the Speedway Gas Station located at 709 McGrath Highway. Detective Sergeant Rego and I walked towards the passenger side of the vehicle and saw XXXXX sitting inside the passenger seat as YYYYY was operating the vehicle. Officer Canty pointed that there were two young children sitting in the back seat as well. I read XXXXX his rights pursuant to Miranda from a card I keep in my wallet. XXXXX stated he understood his rights. Sergeant Rego asked XXXXX where he was coming from to which he stated he was just coming from the Cross Street and Pearl Street area. Sergeant Rego then asked if he had anything on him. XXXXX replied, “Just some weed, I bought it an hour ago in Chelsea.” XXXXX then took out a white folded up paper containing a green leafy substance believed to be Marijuana. 

 

At this time I asked XXXXX where he was coming from. XXXXX answered that he was coming from a friend’s house. I asked him, “What’s your friend’s name?” XXXXX replied, “I don’t know his name.” I then explained to XXXXX that I had been observing the area of Cross Street and Alston Street and saw him meet with a male party. XXXXX then said he met with Mr. Landaverde and that he purchased Marijuana from him. XXXXX stated he bought the Marijuana for ten dollars. I explained to XXXXX that I would be filing a criminal complaint for his actions. While speaking with the operator of the vehicle, YYYYY, I explained that I would be filing a 51A with the Department of Children and Family Services. YYYYY became angry and asked why we would file a 51A. Sergeant Rego and I both explained to YYYYY that bringing his children along to purchase drugs could result in a dangerous situation. YYYYY then pleaded stating he only took his friend, XXXXX, to purchase drugs and that he himself never left the vehicle. My reply to YYYYY was that it did not matter because the drug transaction happened only a few feet away from his vehicle which contained his two young children. As Officers on scene waited with XXXXX and YYYYY, Sergeant Rego and I returned to 11 Alston Street to execute the search warrant, docket number 1510-SW-0085, with Detectives Brioso and Legros.

 

In order to maintain officer safety, I contacted Mr. Landaverde and asked him to speak with me. As Mr. Landaverde came outside I placed him in custody for Distribution of a Class D drug and Conspiracy to violate the drug law. During the search of his person, a wallet was found with some money inside including ten dollars which I believe came from XXXXX. During a search of Mr. Landaverde’s residence, an amount of Marijuana was found inside a black backpack along with a digital scale and clear glassine baggies. These items are common ingredients used in the distribution of narcotics. Also found inside a bedroom drawer were monies we believe to be proceeds from Mr. Landaverde’s drug transactions. The drawer where the monies were found contained a jail house hand written letter to Mr. Landaverde, his recognizance papers from court, and with clothing belonged to him as well. 

 

Mr. Landaverde was transported to Somerville Police Headquarters via marked unit 200, Officer Diaz, where he was booked in the usual manner by Lieutenant DiGregorio. Mr. Landaverde’s money was seized and will be processed during forfeiture proceedings. All items were placed into evidence by Detective Brioso. Detective Legros filed a 51A with the Department of Children and Family Services as well. 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Detective Fernando Cicerone #279