Crime & Safety

Somerville Police Make Series of Cocaine Arrests

In one instance, an undercover operative led investigators to an alleged dealer known as "El Diablo," according to a police report.

The Somerville Police Department made a series cocaine-related arrests during mid-December, according to police reports.

El Diablo

Two of the arrests came after an undercover operative infiltrated an alleged cocaine distribution ring and led investigators to a dealer known as "El Diablo," according to one report.

As part of the investigation, members of the Drug Control Unit arranged a meeting with "El Diablo" in the parking lot of Home Depot on Dec. 11 for the purpose of buying 56 grams of cocaine, the report says.

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If you're curious about how much cocaine that is, a half cup of white flour weighs about 60 grams, and a quarter cup of white granulated sugar weighs just under 50 grams.

According to the report, investigators arranged a delivery time of about 7:45 p.m. with "El Diablo." As a result of the investigation, police arrested Hector Concepcion, 29, of Revere and Gibran Tabrares-Gomes, 28, of Revere, in the parking lot of Home Depot.

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Both were charged with cocaine trafficking and conspiracy to violate drug law. Tabrares-Gomes was also charged with furnishing a false name. Investigators learned that he was in the country illegally from Columbia and that he was wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Concepcion was also charged with being a fugitive from justice on court, as he was wanted in New Hampshire for alleged drug violations, according to the report.

Eight Balls

That wasn't the only cocaine arrest that took place on Dec. 11 in the parking lot of the Home Depot.

At about 6:08 p.m., police arrested Rumeno Romero, 28, of Chelsea, and charged him with drug distribution.

Undercover investigators had received information that someone named "Manny" was distributing cocaine in and around Somerville, and they arranged to buy two "eight balls" from the man, according to a report.

An undercover operative met "Manny" in the parking lot of the Home Depot and paid $320 for the drugs, the report says. After the deal, police arrested Romero.

Crack

In another incident, Somerville police arrested 34-year-old Rodney Marcellus, of Quincy, at about 6:48 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Mystic River Housing Development at 530 Mystic Ave.

According to a police report, Marcellus was there to conduct a drug deal, and he had about 63 grams of crack cocaine in his car.

He was charged with cocaine trafficking and committing a drug violation near a school.

Please remember that allegations contained in police reports do not indicate a conviction.


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