Boston Area Drug, Gun Bust: 29 People Arrested, Charged

BOSTON, MA — A city worker was among more than two dozen from the Boston and Brockton area arrested this week on drug and weapons charge, the US Attorney announced Thursday.

Gary Webster, 35, an ex-employee of Boston City Council President Michelle Wu who now works in the Planning and Development Agency, and Terrell Walker, 63, of Falmouth, who was involved in the 1973 killing of a Boston Police officer, were arrested along with 25 others. Two more wanted as a result of Operation Landshark and Operation Nor'easter, two federal investigations focusing on "repeat offenders" in the drug game, US Attorney Andrew Lelling said.

"The arrest of these individuals will hopefully mean noticeable improvements," Lelling said.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Webster had worked for Wu for a little over four years. He is now on paid administrative leave from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, according to reports.

Walker had served time for his involvement in the slaying of Boston Police Officer John Schroeder.

This investigation was brought about by the DOJ's "Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative" to reduce violent crime. The bust involved 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement agents from all over New England and the Department of Justice said they targeted repeat offenders who were the top 30 worst offenders of violence in the area.

According to the press release at least nine residents of Brockton, a resident of Taunton, a South Boston resident, and several Boston residents were charged including:

• Chad Benjamin, also known as "Life", 40 of South Boston, for distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base,
• Jarrod Benjiamin, also known as "J-Rock", 37, of Brockton for distributing cocaine base,
• Tequan Brown, also known as "Pump" 26 of Brockton for distributing fentanyl
• Rashard Wilson, 36, of Brockton, for distribution of cocaine,
• Gary Jamal Webster also known as Jamal, 35 of Boston, for conspiracy to distribute and process with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl,
• Orlando Waters, 30 of Boston, for distribution of cocaine base,
• Dante Starks, also known as Tay, 36, of Mattapan for distribution of cocaine,
• Tyrone Smith, also called Ty, 31, of Brockton for distribution of cocaine base,
• Tavon Robinson, also called "Smooth," 39, of Boston for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin and fentanyl
• Franklin Perry, 52, of Dorchester for selling counterfeit notes,
• Jeffrey Oliveira, 23, of Brockton for distribution of fentanyl,
• Abdul-Karin Muwakkil, also known as "Tyrone Jones" and "Ty" 37, of Dorchester for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin and fentanyl
• Derek Moore, 46, of Roxbury, for being a felon in possession of a firearm,
• Jorge Moneiro, also known as "Jay," 23, of Brockton for distribution of fentanyl

Those charged with federal drug distribution face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. If the defendant has a prior conviction for drug distribution, or a crime of violence, the maximum sentence is 30 years in prison with at least six years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $2 million fine.

The arrests are part of two separate investigations, one called "Operation Landshark" and the other "Operation Nor'Easter." Landshark investigated and targeted "impact players" and repeat offenders in Brockton and Boston, each who have prior convictions for acts of violence, firearm offenses or drug trafficking, according to a DOJ release. The DOJ said many of the people targeted in this operation are considered the top 30 criminal offenders responsible for violent acts and firearms in Brockton.

Operation Nor'Easter was a two year undertaking lasting from April 2016 to January during which undercover officers made controlled purchases of drugs from Boston targets. During the course of the investigations officers bought or seized 15 guns and bought or seized fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base.

More details to come, but check out some of the guns here:

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Photo courtesy US Attorney's Office