Hey, there! Log in / Register

Eight arrested after drug raid on a South End condo that officials say has been causing neighborhood problems for more than a year

Eight people were arrested yesterday following a Monday raid at a condo at 231 West Newton St., the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

The Monday raid - by members of drug units from districts D-4 in the South End and E-5 in West Roxbury and the BPD human-trafficking unit - resulted in the seizure of Suboxone, crack, meth, fentanyl and diazepam, as well as some cash, the DA's office reports.

Among those arrested following the raid of a 630-square-foot one-bedroom condo on the second floor was its owner, Michael Collins, 66, who was charged with possession of a class C substance, the DA's office reports. He was ordered held in lieu of $1,000 bail at his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court, the DA's office says.

Three other people were also charged with possession of a class C drug; two were also ordered held in lieu of $1,000 bail at their arraignments while the third was released on personal recognizance. A fourth man was also held in lieu of $1,000 bail, but for a previously issued larceny warrant not related to the drugs seized on Monday, the DA's office reports.

One man, who already had outstanding warrants, was charged with possession of a class B substance and was ordered held in lieu of $500 bail. That's the same bail used to hold a man charged with possession of class A and B substancece.

One man, who was charged with possession of class A and C substances as well as possession of a class B substance with intent to distribute failed to appear in court and is now subject to a warrant arrest.

Another man was released on personal recognizance and his case transferred to Cambridge District Court for a previously issued warrant charging him with possession of a class A drug.

The DA's office charges that:

In the past year there have been 59 reported incidents connected to the address.

At least one 311 complaint was filed, in March:

Saw several men exiting 231 West Newton under the influence. Some shirtless. We live across from Titus Sparrow Park and frequently see many of these men under the influence. It appears that they are consuming drugs or alcohol inside 231.

On Feb. 24, a suspect in a Prudential Center shoplifting incident was arrested at the address, BPD records show. In April, his charge of larceny under $1,200 was continued without a finding after he pleaded guilty, on condition he stay out of trouble, but in June, a judge found he hadn't stayed out of trouble and ordered him sentenced to 28 days in the Suffolk County House of Correction, court records show.

Innocent, etc.

Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 
Free tagging: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Comments

So who are the other seven?

up
Voting closed 17

up
Voting closed 10

231 West Newton street is conveniently located between Methadone Mile, At least 4 major medical centers and 4 college campuses. If you're going to deal drugs location matters. /s

up
Voting closed 16

Every address in the Back Bay and South End fits that description. There's nothing noteworthy about this location.

up
Voting closed 14

n/t

up
Voting closed 8

Only a year for DA's office to take action? Wow, talk about response time.

up
Voting closed 17

I'm a neighbor. This is the back bay, not the south end. The dividing line is the southwest corridor. Also, why is someone with a user name "anon" asking for the identity of other people?

up
Voting closed 10

The resident parking signs on St. Botolph Street say Back Bay, even though this area is blocks away from any other Back Bay residential street.

The West Newton Street parking signs do switch over from Back Bay to South End after crossing the Southwest Corridor path.

up
Voting closed 8

They must have been really raking in the drug money to pay for the mortgage here.

up
Voting closed 16

I used to live around the corner from this building. This neighborhood is VERY pricey

But convenient location.

Zillow suggests that the last time this place was sold was 1997 (for 142k). Looks like Mr Collins has lived there for many, many years.

I am going to go out a limb here and say Mr Collins is probably gay since the SoEnd was still more gay in 1997 than it is now. Plus all the people that were arrested here were both under 45 and men. And a 311 report says some visitors (men) appear to be shirtless.

Annnd I'll wager to think that he was selling drugs to other gay men, considering the location. There might even have been a sex party (aka Party N play) thing going on here. I mean its a 1 bedroom apartment, and 8 people were in there?

Sorry folks if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck.. its probably a duck. Plus long ago I knew what this scene was all about and things haven't changed much, so I just know when I see it.

up
Voting closed 15