Watertown Man Busted in Drug Task Force Operation

WATERTOWN, MA - A 28-year-old Watertown man has been brought up on criminal drug charges after police cornered him in his Winter Street apartment.

As part of an investigation conducted by Watertown police in conjunction with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, officers obtained a warrant for Zachary Shelton's residence and staked it out the afternoon of April 5, according to the Watertown News.

Police told the website they observed a man walk into the building and emerge a short time later. When officers questioned him, he told them he had purchased $20 worth of crack cocaine from Shelton, who police had been investigating as a suspected drug dealer.

Officers entered the building and saw Shelton standing at the other end of the hallway. Upon seeing police, he turned and sprinted into his apartment, the Watertown News reported.

After forcing their way into his apartment, police heard the sound of a toilet flushing and saw Shelton walk out of the bathroom.

Though they did not recover any drugs, officers found a digital scale, along with a large amount of cash. Police told the Watertown News that these items are commonly associated with drug dealers and it is believed that Shelton flushed any illegal substances down the toilet.

Shelton was arrested and charged with distribution of a Class B drug; he was arraigned in Waltham District Court on April 6.