BOSTON — Officers with the Boston Police Department arrested a man on drug trafficking charges Monday afternoon following an investigation near the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue.
Police said Jose Soto, 33, was taken into custody at approximately 1:05 p.m. by members of the C-6 (South Boston) Drug Control Unit.
The department said it has received numerous complaints about narcotics-related activity in the “Mass & Cass” neighborhood, which prompted ongoing enforcement efforts.
Those efforts, police said, have resulted in several arrests.
According to law enforcement, Soto was seen driving his vehicle in a suspicious manner in the area.
Officers observed him pulling over and partially parking on East Lennox Street, where he remained in the vehicle, frequently checking his phone and looking in all directions.
Shortly afterward, an unidentified male approached Soto’s vehicle.
Officers witnessed what they described as a hand-to-hand drug transaction.
Officers coordinated with backup units to conduct a motor vehicle stop.
After stopping Soto’s vehicle near Montrose Street, they conducted a search.
Police said they discovered 17 small plastic bags of suspected fentanyl inside a larger bag, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.
Soto was arrested at the scene and is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
He faces charges of Trafficking Class A Drugs (Fentanyl), 14-27 grams.
