Special to the Times-Free Press
Police made a number of drug and weapons arrests in East Boston last week.
Ten people were arrested last week as part of a six-month-long investigation into a Maverick Landing housing development building in East Boston that has been an incessant source of drug activity and 911 calls, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
In addition to the ten arrests, police during the May 7 search warrant operation—dubbed Operation Clean House—seized over 100 grams of cocaine, over 60 grams of Fentanyl, and $2,610 in cash.
“Just as a small number of individuals can drive an outsized share of crime, a single problem property can have an outsized impact on the entire community’s quality of life,” said Hayden. “This is one of those properties, primarily due to just a few out-of-control apartments. I thank Boston police for making a clear statement to East Boston residents that they’re aware of this problem and are committed to addressing it.”
The residential building at 44 Border Street has accounted for 52 documented drug-related police interactions between January 2023 through April 2024, according to the district attorney’s office.
On Tuesday, members of Boston police Area A-7 Drug Control Unit with the assistance of D-4 and E-5 Drug Control Units executed multiple search warrants listing four individuals and three apartments, all in the 44 Border Street building.
Hayden said monitoring of the property will continue and trespassers and other violators will face arrest, arraignment and appropriate prosecution.
“This situation gets right to the heart of peacefulness in our neighborhoods and safety on our streets,” Hayden said. “The actions of the few will be responsibly addressed when they impact the wellbeing of the many.”
The following individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation:
· Samuel Junta, 43, charged with trafficking Class B substance over 70 grams
· Kerry Bell, 47, charged with trafficking Class B substance over 70 grams
· Youssef Benelmir, 50, outstanding warrants
· Reinaldo Diaz, 45, charged with possession Class A with intent to distribute and being a fugitive from justice
· Edwin Pagan, 47, charged with possession Class A with intent to distribute
· Christina Dionizio, 30, outstanding warrant
· Victoria Herrera, 30, charged with trespassing
· Amin Roundil, 30, charged with trespassing
· Youssef Benarba, 30, outstanding warrants
· Edwin Ceballo-Hernandez, 36, charged with trafficking Class A substance and Class B substance
Some of those arrested were arraigned last week and received a variety of bail amounts and release conditions, according to the district attorney’s office. The others will be arraigned at later dates. Reinaldo Diaz, who is facing a fugitive from justice charge for a pending case in Rhode Island, was ordered held without bail.
In addition to the Operation Clean House arrests on May 7, officers assigned to District A-7 in East Boston arrested four people after they responded to the area of 19 Beachview Road for a report of suspicious activity a little after 2 p.m.
Demetrey Pate, 20, of Brighton, Wendy Seide, 21, of Hyde Park, Levar Freeman-Allen, 19, of East Boston, and Philip Blain, 20, of Boston, were arrested on firearm charges.
Officers responded to the area of 19 Beachview Road for a report of four males dressed in dark clothing, looking into home windows, according to the Boston Police Department. Officers were advised that the four individuals left the area in a motor vehicle.
As officers were canvassing the area for possible suspects, a second radio call came in for three males in the yard of 75 Orient Avenue. Officers immediately observed the suspected motor vehicle parked in the area and were able to determine that the vehicle was occupied four times, and requested the occupants to exit the vehicle, according to the BPD.
With the assistance of responding officers, all four individuals exited the vehicle and were pat frisked. After further investigation, officers recovered two firearms from inside the vehicle, according to police officials. The firearms were later determined to be a Glock 26 with fifteen rounds in the magazine, and a Glock 27 with one round in the chamber and thirteen rounds in the magazine. Officers also recovered a backpack that contained eight plastic bags of marijuana and two digital scales.
All four suspects were placed under arrest and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, disturbing the peace, and trespassing. Blain was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute of class D. All four suspects are expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court.