A former Burlington police officer, his son, and five additional defendants have been arrested in connection with a large scale drug ring operating out of Burlington,said Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone today.
The seven defendants were arrested today after search warrants were executed and nearly 200 grams of cocaine and 28 grams of heroin were seized.
The seven defendants are identified as:
* Michael Reynolds, 26, of Burlington, charged with trafficking heroin over 14 grams, conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* Kenneth Reynolds, 45, of Burlington, charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* William Najjar, 21, of Woburn, was charged with trafficking in cocaine over 100 grams, conspiracy to traffic cocaine over 100 grams, distribution of cocaine (11 counts), use of firearm in commission of a felony, possession of firearm, and, possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail.
* David Medur, 27, of Wakefield, was charged with trafficking heroin over 28 grams, conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* Matthew Basile, 38, of Stoneham, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams. He was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, as well as a probation detainer.
* Coleen Cosgrove, 27, of Waltham, was charged with trafficking heroin over 28 grams, trafficking heroin over 14 grams (4 counts), and conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams. She was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.
* Derek Clemetson, 28, of Woburn, was charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams and possession of an electrical weapon. He was ordered held on $750 cash bail.
Their next court date is March 8 for pre-trial conference.
“These were significant arrests that resulted in today's seizures of guns and a large amount of heroin and cocaine that were being distributed on our streets. We know that heroin specifically has been responsible for a number of overdose deaths, including young people, which we’ve seen in our county in the last year,” Leone said. “Illegal drug trafficking and weapons charges are serious offenses that are often at the root of many additional and violent crimes. These allegations are made all the worse in that a former police officer is alleged to have disgraced the badge that he once wore, and impugned the good reputation of law enforcement personnel everywhere. We will continue to actively investigate and prosecute drug crimes and I want to thank the Woburn Police Department for their cooperative effort in this investigation."
According to authorities, in December 2009, and January and February of this year, Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office conducted court-authorized wiretap surveillance of several telephone lines that were identified as being used by a large-scale heroin distribution ring operating in Middlesex County. Pursuant to those wiretaps, troopers were able to discover evidence of numerous sales of cocaine and heroin to an apparent large number of customers.
Michael Reynolds was identified as a ringleader of the distribution organization. He was repeatedly intercepted negotiating prices and methods of delivery for heroin and conducting sales of heroin in varying amounts to Matthew Basile, Derek Clemetson and David Medur on numerous occasions.
Michael Reynolds was also identified as a cocaine distributor and was repeatedly intercepted negotiating prices and weights for cocaine. Reynolds made numerous large purchases of cocaine, in quantities consistent with re-distribution, from William Najjar.
During the course of the investigation, Kenneth Reynolds, a former Burlington police officer who retired in 2002, was repeatedly observed driving Michael Reynolds to heroin transactions and was intercepted discussing past and future acts of heroin distribution with Michael Reynolds and others.
On Feb. 10, a search warrant was executed at the Reynolds’ home at 14 Evelyn Road in Burlington. As a result of the search warrant, authorities recovered a firearm, customer lists, and cash money.
During the course of the wire surveillance, Medur was repeatedly intercepted planning and carrying out purchases of large quantities of heroin. On Feb. 10, a search warrant obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Medur’s residence at of 31 Melvin St. in Wakefield. Recovered during the search was over 20 grams of heroin, approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine, a firearm, and a variety of prescription pills.
Wire surveillance revealed William Najjar to be a major supplier of cocaine in the Woburn area. He was repeatedly intercepted negotiating sales of cocaine in large quantities to Michael Reynolds, who in turn would repackage and sell the cocaine to generate additional profits. On Feb. 10, a search warrant issued by the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Najjar’s residence of 31 Waltham St., Woburn. Found during the course of the search was approximately 195 grams of cocaine, a large quantity of U.S. currency, and a firearm.
During the course of the wire surveillance, Derek Clemetson was identified as a heroin and cocaine distributor for the Reynolds Organization. A search warrant obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Clemetson’s residence of 9 Middle St., Woburn on Feb. 10. Recovered during the search were numerous small plastic bags consistent with packaging for illegal narcotics and a portable electrical weapon designed to deliver a powerful electric shock.
During the course of the wire surveillance, Basile was identified as a heroin distributor who acquired heroin from the Reynolds organization and re-sold it for profit.
Basile was repeatedly intercepted purchasing heroin from Michael Reynolds and from other sources, often in large quantities that were consistent with redistribution.
Cosgrove was also identified as selling large quantities of heroin to the Reynolds Organization. A search warrant was obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court and was executed at Cosgrove’s residence at 22 Underwood Park in Waltham on Feb. 10. Discovered during the course of the search were numerous controlled substances of Class E.
The investigation continues into the reach and scope of the drug operation and further arrests may be made. The Burlington Police Department has cooperated fully with the investigation.
The Middlesex PACT Unit is a team of prosecutors and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of cases of public integrity, anti-terrorism, corruption, technology, and high-level narcotics.
These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's PACT Unit and the Woburn Police Department. The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this case are David Solet and John Verner, Chief of the MDAO’s PACT Unit.
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