Pair Nabbed After Alleged Heroin Sale In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA – Two men face drug distribution charges after police witnessed an alleged drug deal last week. Jose Pena and Manuel Perez – known to police from a previous drug arrest – were spotted in the area of Edgar Avenue and Heath Street last Tuesday, where police were conducting surveillance, and allegedly completed the deal in view of the officers.

Police saw a man leave his residence around 4:40 p.m. while using his cell phone to make a quick call. He turned onto Heath Street and walked toward Bond Street, stopping just ahead of the intersection, according to police.

He appeared to be waiting on someone, and police saw a blue Nissan Sentra pull up, turn onto Heath Street and park at the corner of Heath and Bond. Pena exited the passenger side of the car and approached the man. Police said there was a quick hand-to-hand exchange between the two men, which was believed to have been a drug deal. Three detectives pulled the Sentra over, while two others stopped the man Pena had met. He asked police, "Am I getting arrested?" and when confronted about the interaction, allegedly told them he calls the same number every day to order heroin and two "Dominican males driving a blue vehicle" deliver it.

He pointed out a small baggie on the ground in front of him with a tan powdered substance believed to be heroin. Police searched Perez and Pena and allegedly found 11 bags containing tan powder on Perez. Police believed it to be heroin and placed the two of them under arrest.

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Editor's Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Somerville Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a Massachusetts Patch police report.