MELROSE — Chief Kevin M. Faller reports that the Melrose Police Department arrested and charged a man with possession with intent to distribute and drug trafficking.
SAMUEL CASTILLO, AGE 26, of LYNN, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B substance
- Trafficking Cocaine 18 Grams or More but less than 36 grams
On Friday, April 7, at approximately 9:47 a.m., Melrose Police received a report of a possible altercation on Lebanon Street near the Melrose Wakefield Hospital between two individuals, one of whom was seen driving a gray Ford Escape.
Officers responded and observed a matching gray For Escape. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle. While speaking with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as CASTILLO, officers observed a plastic bag with what appeared to be a white powdery substance, later determined to be cocaine. Officers then initiated a search of the vehicle and requested assistance from the Melrose K-9 unit.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, K-9 Officer Brian Trainor indicated that K-9 Nero was picking up a scent in the driver’s side door of the vehicle. Upon observation officers located six more baggies which contained a white powdery substance and a rock-like substance, later determined to be cocaine, hidden inside the car door. Additional baggies were found in the driver’s side door but could not be removed on scene.
CASTILLO was arrested without incident and the Ford Escape was taken to Melrose Police station for processing and retrieval of the additional bags. While at the station, Melrose Police found an additional 12 baggies containing a various amount of a rock-like substance and a white powdery substance, both substances were determined to be cocaine.
Melrose Police recovered a total of 19 baggies weighing a total of 27.65 grams.
CASTILLO was arraigned at Malden District Court April 7 and was held on $540 bail.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
