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Feds say Methuen man was sitting on more than 70 pounds of fentanyl

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 5:39pm

A Methuen man faces up to life in prison after federal agents found nearly $30 million worth of potentially deadly fentanyl in his car and in a closet in his apartment - where they also found a gas mask and a gun - the US Attorney's office in Boston reports.

A second man, who arrived at Angel Javier Morell-Oneill's apartment with $20,000 as Morell-Oneill was being arrested, was also charged as a courier involved in Morell-Oneill's alleged fentanyl business, the US Attorney's office reports.

Morell-Oneill, whom officials say is really a Dominican national who was kicked out of the country in 2015 - under a different name - was stopped while driving what turned out to be two kilograms of fentanyl to a customer on Monday, according to an affidavit by a DEA agent involved in the case.

Back at his apartment, the affidavit continues, agents with a search warrant found two duffel bags filled with a total of 26 fentanyl bricks, along with a plastic bag and smaller egg-shaped packages also filled with the stuff, along with a gun, ammunition, a gas mask and a money counter.

According to a separate affidavit by the agent, Morell-Oneill was quite chatty and said a tractor-trailer driver had recently dropped off a shipment of drugs and that the guy was still in the area and awaiting payment of $40,000 for his work.

As they talked, the affidavit says, he received a number of calls and texts from a man who had $20,000 to go towards the driver's payment. The two agreed to meet in an hour - enough time for agents to bring Morell-Oneill to a nearby State Police barracks for booking and return him to his apartment - with a woman described as his "paramour" handling several of the calls.

When Jose Rodriguez pulled his minivan into a handicap spot outside Morell-Oneill's apartment, he was met by agents who found two hidden compartments in the vehicle, one containing stacks of money bound with rubber bands - $20,000 in all.

Morell-Oneill was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a sentence of between 10 years and life, the US Attorney's office reports. Rodriguez was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to to distribute fentanyl. He faces between three and twenty years in prison if convicted.

In addition to the DEA and State Police, several local police departments, including in Boston, participated in the investigation.

Innocent, etc.


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Willa we get a nor'easter this weekend?

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 12:48pm

It looks that way, in a storm that will feature the remnants of Hurricane Willa. But at least it'll be rain on the coastal plain, rather than snow.


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Cambridge man charged with building an illegal arsenal of guns, rifles

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 10:52am

Seized weapons. Photo by CPD.

Cambridge Police reports arresting a local man they say was running an armory out of his Seven Pines Avenue home.

Mathew Devine, 39, was arrested on 26 counts of illegal possession of a firearm, 6 counts of illegal possession of a large-capacity feeding device, 3 counts of possession of a silencer, and 1 count each of possession of ammunition and use of body armor in the commission of a felony. He is scheduled for arraignment in Cambridge District Court today, police say.

Police raided Devine's home and a Gold Star Road residence belonging to a relative yesterday, following a four-month investigation. Police say that officers seized 25 handguns and 3 assault rifles, along with parts to make "dozens of additional illegal firearms," hundreds of rounds of ammunition, five bullet-proof vests and other body armor, and milling machines.

The investigation began in early July 2018 after the Cambridge Police Department were notified by the United States Postal Inspection Services of suspicious activity occurring at Devine’s 43 Seven Pines Avenue residence. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that more than 75 packages worth more than $26,000 were delivered to Devine, including a complete AR-15 build kit and a milling machine, with return addresses primarily originating from gun and weapon companies. The gun parts were purchased online, distributed through the mail and assembled into untraceable complete firearms. Devine did not have a license to carry.

In addition to Cambridge Police, the Postal Inspection Service, the US Marshal's office, the New England Electronic Crimes Task Force and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office also participated in the investigation.

Police add they are continuing to look into Devine's business. Anybody with tips can contact them at 617-349-3300.


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Correction: East Boston school does not need water coolers

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 9:47am

This morning I posted something about a teacher at the Guild School in East Boston going online to request donations to buy a couple of water coolers so that kids could get water to drink without having to worry about missing classes.

I expressed some outrage.

I was wrong. The teacher and BPS both say that although the school's water is marked "offline" in a BPS list of schools with possibly contaminated water discovered in 2016, which the teacher used to bolster his case, the school had stopped relying on tap water for thirsty students long before 2016.

In a statement, BPS says:

Boston Public Schools is committed to providing access to easily available safe, clean drinking water for all students. The Guild Elementary School has relied on bottled water for many years, and school leaders report no issues with students' access to drinking water. BPS is ready to provide additional bottled water to any school should there be an issue where access may be a concern.

The teacher is contacting two Boston residents who went to Amazon and purchased the water coolers he'd initially requested to let them know that if they can't cancel the orders, the school will send the coolers back so they can at least get their money refunded.


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Medical-marijuana dispensary proposed for Charlestown/Somerville line

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 9:32am

The Charlestown Patriot-Bridge reports that former City Councilor Sal LaMattina has organized a community meeting on a proposal by a company called Bloominus to open a marijuana dispensary at 116 Cambridge St., on the other side of I-93 from Sullivan Square.

The session begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.


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Chelsea liquor stores battle nip ban

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 9:19am

The Chelsea Record reports nine local liquor stores want the state to overturn a city ban on the sale of nips and any alcoholic beverages that cost less than $3 a shot.

The stores are appealing to the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, so any ruling there could have statewide implications.

Boston currently lets existing liquor stores that were initially allowed to sell nips to keep on selling them, but requires new stores to agree not to sell the tiny bottles on the theory they lead to public drinking and littering.


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When a trolley and a bus love each other very much ...

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 8:59am

A 39 bus and an E Green Line trolley had a little love bump on Huntington Avenue near Brigham Circle shortly before 7:30 a.m. Lena, who captured the scene, reports there didn't appear to be too much damage, but that some of the Boston Latin School students on the 39 "charter" from Forest Hills appeared shaken up. Plus, of course, traffic came to a halt.


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Eduard-Oh!

By adamg on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 12:04am

And no heart attack from Spiderman, who went beardo a beardo to get the last out.


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The Pru sends a message

By adamg on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 9:20pm

Copley Wolf Design Group captures the Pru tonight.


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The new canopy at Forest Hills would've come in handy this afternoon

By adamg on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 9:00pm

Work's started on another permanent canopy for the upper busway at Forest Hills, this one to cover the walkway to come between the station and the new main bus area, where a much larger canopy is still under construction.


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