Man Charged After Months-Long Drug Investigation by Dedham, Boston Police

The Dedham Police Department on Friday released the results of a drug-related investigation conducted in the Dedham area this spring that resulted in the arrest of a Jamaica Plain man. 

Throughout the months of March and April, Dedham Police investigated the illegal sale and distribution of cocaine and heroin in the Dedham and Hyde Park areas, along with the Norfolk County Police Anticrime Task Force and the Boston Police Department's E-13 Drug Control Unit. 

As a result of the investigation, Dedham police obtained a search warrant from Dedham District Court that authorized them to search the home of Franklin Pena in Jamaica Plain. 

On Thursday, May 1 at about 9:30 a.m., officers began a surveillance of Pena's residence. Then, at about 1:40 p.m. that same day, surveillance units reported that Pena left the parking lot of his residence in a Toyota Scion, and shortly thereafter, they boxed his vehicle in a narrow driveway nearby. Before police could detain Pena, he allegedly ingested bags of narcotics to prevent officers from finding them. He then refused to open the door and continued to ingest drugs and water, police said. 

Pena was subsequently removed from the vehicle and arrested on the scene. During the search of his home, police said they found several bags of drugs among other numerous items.

Pena was charged with possession of a Class A substance (heroin) with intent to distribute and possession of a Class B substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute, and was booked by the Boston Police Department's E-13 district in Jamaica Plain.