Medford Man Faces Drug Dealing Charge In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Medford man was arrested after officers witnessed him dealing drugs in Somerville, police said. Joseph Mendez, 40, faces a charge of distribution of a Class A drug – subsequent offense.

On May 29, officers tailed a man to the corner of Evergreen and School Street. Police said the man, who is known to be a drug user, met with Mendez on the front steps of a home on School Street. Officers witnessed a "brief hand exchange" between the pair, and Mendez returned to a red Dodge Charger that had dropped him off and waited across the street, the police report stated.

Officers confronted the man who met with Mendez, and noticed he dropped a baggie with a tan powdery substance believed to be heroin and fentanyl, police said. The man told police he paid $20 for the bag.

Officers pulled the Charger over on Temple Street and questioned Mendez, who said he had not met anyone prior to the traffic stop, according to the police report. Mendez was asked to step out of the car and placed under arrest, police said.

A woman was driving the car, and there were two young children inside, police said. Officers found a digital scale and $160 in the car, the police report stated.

Police reported the incident to the Department of Children and Families.