Somerville And Cambridge Police Help Arrest 4 On Drug Distribution Charges

SOMERVILLE, MA — Four individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged drug distribution operation that investigators say operated in communities including Cambridge and Somerville, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Cambridge Acting Police Commissioner Pauline Wells and Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford announced the charges following a multi-agency investigation that identified Foster Starks, 40, Treace Macklin, 35, Tymeak Battie, 38, and Nasheed Battie, 44, as allegedly working together to conduct street-level narcotics sales using a common phone number.

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Law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at locations in Cambridge and Braintree on Thursday, June 4. Investigators seized approximately $23,000 in cash, multiple firearms and more than 250 grams of suspected narcotics across the two locations.

At a residence on Skyline Drive in Braintree, investigators allegedly recovered approximately 211 grams of suspected cocaine, a loaded Ruger P94 semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine, scales and packaging materials consistent with drug distribution. Authorities also allege that Starks attempted to flush suspected narcotics down a toilet when officers arrived.

Starks and Macklin, who lived at the apartment, were arrested.

Macklin was charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of a large-capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and improper storage of a large-capacity firearm.

Starks was charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding.

At a Lancaster Street residence in Cambridge, investigators allegedly recovered approximately 50 grams of suspected cocaine, a loaded Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun, scales, and packaging materials consistent with drug distribution.

Nasheed Battie and Tymeak Battie, who lived at the residence, were arrested.

Nasheed Battie was charged with trafficking cocaine between 36 and 100 grams, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of a large-capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a large-capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without an FID card, improper storage of a firearm, and possession of a large-capacity firearm.

Tymeak Battie was charged with trafficking cocaine between 36 and 100 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Nasheed Battie and Tymeak Battie were arraigned in Cambridge District Court on June 4 and were ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for June 10.

Starks and Macklin were arraigned in Quincy District Court on June 4. Prosecutors said both men were later found dangerous following a hearing.

The investigation also involved the Middlesex County State Police Detective Unit, Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit, H Troop Community Action Team, and Braintree Police Department.

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