Jamaica Plain Suspects Linked to Charlestown Drug Ring That Was Raided in 'Operation Tourniquet'

Twenty people allegedly connected with the drug trade at Bunker Hill Housing Development were arrested Monday in a police sweep dubbed "Operation Tourniquet."

Police say an 18-month investigation went into the arrests made at suspects' homes in Charlestown, Jamaica Plain and Everett. But while the alleged drug ring members lived in various parts of the region, their illegal business was focused on the Bunker Hill Housing Development, said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.

Davis said the only connection to JP was that suspects live here. The alleged drug deals primarily took place in Charlestown, he said.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the Boston Police Area A Drug Control Unit, Everett Police, Boston Housing Police, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"These efforts send a clear message that individuals involved in violence have our full attention," Davis said. "We are very confident that we have removed a large number of very dangerous individuals from our streets, making it safer for individuals to work in concert with police and keep our neighborhoods safe."

Boston's top cop spoke in front of two tables filled with evidence from the raids, including three guns. Police say they seized "large levels" of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and cash.

In addition to Monday's 20 arrests, a Suffolk County Grand Jury had previously indicted five "main targets" of Operation Tourniquet, according to the office of District Attorney Dan Conley.

John Foley, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, lauded the arrests and the months of effort that preceeded them.

"As a result of today's arrests, Charlestown is safer now and for the foreseeable future than it was just hours ago," Foley said. "Gang members who try to fill the shoes of those arrested today should know we will soon be in pursuit."

The Bunker Hill Housing Project in Charlestown is a 1,110 unit housing community for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. It is managed by the Boston Housing Authority.

Bill McGonagle, administrator of the housing authority, said the persons charged in Monday's sweep would not be allowed back into public housing.

Below is a list of the twenty people arrested on Monday and the charges they face. All suspects have Boston addresses unless noted. Boston Police say two of the persons below have JP addresses, but declined to detail which ones they are at this time:

• Rudy Machuca, 43 — Drug related warrant
• Johnny Gomez, 64 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs
• Osvaldo Diaz, 35 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs
• Anthony Villanueva, 35 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs
• Minerva Mejia, 69 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs
• William Benjamin, 20 — Drug related warrant
• Chris Freeman, 23 — Drug related warrant
• Trevor Headley, 18 — Drug related warrant
• Mark Moore, 34 — Drug related warrant
• Daniel Campbell, 49 — Drug related warrant
• Darnell Crump, 30, Duxbury —Trafficking Class B drugs
• Nina Garcia, 41, Everett — Drug related warrant
• Elisamuel Colon-Padilla, 29 — Drug related warrant
• Ruth Lopez, 36 — Drug related warrant
• Jose Nazario-Mercado, 18 — Armed robbery warrant
• Jose Williams, 21 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A and B drugs
• Angel Celado, 17 — Drug related warrant
• Alexis Salerno, 24 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs
• Neftaly Salerno, 22 — Possession with intent to distribute Class A drugs

The five "main targets" of the probe are as follows. Their grand jury indictments were handed down on June 6:

• Carl Benoit, 23,  of Dorchester, was charged with 12 counts each of distribution of a Class B substance and distribution of a Class B substance in a school zone, four counts each of trafficking in a Class B substance and trafficking in a Class B substance in a school zone, and three counts of distribution of a Class A substance and distribution of a Class A substance in a school zone
• Kevin Denis, 20, of Brockton, was charged with two counts each of distribution of a Class B substance and distribution of a Class B substance in a school zone
• Prince Denis, 21, of Brockton, charged with 13 counts each of distribution of a Class A substance and distribution of a Class A substance in a school zone and nine counts each of distribution of a Class B substance and distribution of a Class B substance in a school zone
• Marvin LaFontant, 24, of Hyde Park, charged with one count each of distribution of a Class A substance and distribution of a Class A substance in a school zone.
• Jonathan Abreu, 22, of Hyde Park — One count each of trafficking in a Class A substance, trafficking in a Class A substance in a school zone, and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute. The DA's office said he was "initially charged via warrant on the trafficking charges in connection with Operation Tourniquet, Abreau was arrested at his Crown Point Drive residence with an additional bag of cocaine, two cell phones, multiple plastic baggies, a ski mask, and an inoperable replica firearm. He was held on a total of $10,100 cash bail." He is among those arrested on Monday.

[Editor's note: Information on additional charges from the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley has been added to this post.]