BOSTON — Officers from the East Boston Drug Control Unit arrested a Lynn man Tuesday night after allegedly finding 45 grams of cocaine in his possession.
Juan Ortega Restrepo, 29, was taken into custody around 7 p.m. on March 18 near 178 Border Street following a brief surveillance operation.
According to police, officers were patrolling the area of 500 Border Street when they observed a vehicle pull over at the end of a ramp.
After checking the vehicle’s registration, officers determined the owner did not possess an active driver’s license.
Police maintained surveillance as the vehicle backed under a bridge, where they observed an unknown male enter the passenger side of the vehicle briefly before exiting approximately 30 seconds later.
Believing they had witnessed a drug transaction, officers conducted a traffic stop and detained Restrepo.
During their investigation, officers recovered 18 bags of cocaine weighing approximately 45 grams, along with $514 in cash.
Restrepo faces charges of trafficking Class B substances and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
He is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court.
