Feds, state and Brockton police arrest drug dealers in city sweep
Maureen Boyle
Federal, state and local investigators rounded up drug dealing suspects today in a bid to keep the streets cool before the summer heats up.
The roundup, part of an investigation launched in May, began early today and targeted street level drug dealers in the city.
Three guns were seized as part of the probe and more than a dozen were under arrest. Four people face gun charges; the bulk of the suspects face drug distribution charges.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said the investigation involved hand-to-hand, undercover sales of drugs in the city.
Street dealers harm both the quality of life in the city and can create fear in neighborhoods, he said.
"Street dealers can be very violent," Cruz said.
State Police Major Michael Crisp said the effort, dubbed "Operation Spring Fling," is part of the ongoing effort to get the "main players off the street."
"We need to keep up the pressure," he said. "If we live on our past cases, they can overtake the streets again."
The investigation was a joint effort by the ,Massachusetts State Police, the state police gang unit, Brockton police and the FBI, he said.
Brockton Lt. John Crowley, chief of detectives, said the arrests help keep some drugs off the streets and "keeps people who don't belong in the neighborhood out."
The following people were arrested in the sweep:
Jacques Durand, 22, of 46 Prospect St., Apt. 2, Brockton, distribution of a Class D drug, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Santos Serrano, 58, of 117 Bellevue Ave., No. 2, Brockton, distribution of a 0class B drug.
Aldwyn Tyrone Braithwaite, 63 Canton St., Stoughton, arrested May 5, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of ammunition, second-offense possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Lavarr Antwonn Webster, 23, of 9 Palm Place, No. 3, Brockton, arrested May 5, illegal possession of ammunition, second-offense possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Tyrelle Baker, 21, of 101 Richmond St., Brockton, distribution of a Class B drug, possession of drugs in a school zone, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Alexander Andrande, 27, of 135 Nilsson St., No. 1, Brockton, distribution of a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Eric Alves, 17, of 49 Carter St., Brockton, distribution of a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Miguel Otero, 48, of 9 Palm Place, No. 3, Brockton, arrested May 29, second-offense distribution of a Class B drug, possession of drugs in a school zone, distribution of a Class B drug with intent to distribute.
Joseph Michael Burke, 19, of 449 North Main St., Brockton, arrested May 29, distribution of a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Alfred Urbaschak, 52, of 39 Amark Road, Brockton, second-offense distribution of heroin, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Marquis Gibbs, 19, of 168 Felton St., Waltham, arrested June 5, distribution of a counterfeit substance, possession of a counterfeit substance with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, illegally carrying a loaded gun, illegal possession of ammunition.
Filisangelo Silva, 29, of 15 Grove St., Brockton, three counts distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of Class B drug with intent to distribute.
Joanna S. Jarvis, 37, of 1 Moreland St., Brockton, distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Tequan Brown, 17, of 27 Winthrop St., Brockton, distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Dquame Brown, 18, of 297 Moraine St., Brockton, distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
Jasper Bing, 43, of 78 Huntington St., No. 2, Brockton, arrested June 18, second-offense distribution of crack cocaine, possession of drugs in a school zone, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Nelson Holloway, 26, of 35 Eagle Ave, Brockton, arrested June 18, distribution of crack cocaine, possession of drugs in a school zone, conspiracy to violate drug laws, illegally carrying a gun, illegal possession of ammunition.
Michael Norton, 20, of 11 Auna Drive, Brockton, second-offense possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Paulo Fontes, 25, of 62 Edson St, Brockton, five counts of distribution of a Class B drug, possession of drugs in a school zone.
Patrick Sequeira, 18, of 21 Tremont St., Brockton, distribution of a counterfeit substance.
Two 15-year-olds were charged with distribution of a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, and possession of drugs in a school zone.
Maureen Boyle can be reached at mboyle@enterprisenews.com.