Police say suspected dealer was watched making hand to hand transactions before arrest
BOSTON, MA — A drug trafficking investigation in Boston’s Mass and Cass area ended with the arrest of a Mattapan man after officers allegedly watched him engage in multiple suspected street-level drug transactions before recovering fentanyl, methamphetamine and cash, police said.
Boston Police said officers assigned to the Neighborhood Engagement Safety Team (NEST) arrested 37-year-old Brandon Hamler at approximately 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, following an investigation near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
According to investigators, the investigation began in the parking lot of a gas station on Southampton Street, where officers observed Hamler engage in a series of hand-to-hand exchanges with several individuals over roughly 30 minutes.
Police said the activity was consistent with street-level drug sales.
Officers later stopped Hamler and two other individuals nearby. During the stop, investigators recovered suspected narcotics from the other individuals.
A search conducted after Hamler’s arrest allegedly uncovered a large quantity of suspected narcotics concealed on his person, along with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police said the seized drugs included 31 individually packaged bags of suspected fentanyl weighing approximately 19 grams and 10 individually packaged bags of suspected methamphetamine.
Investigators also recovered pills believed to be Adderall from another individual at the scene.
Hamler was transported to Nashua Street Jail for booking and is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
He is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, 18 grams or more and less than 36 grams; distribution of a Class B substance, subsequent offense; possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance (methamphetamine); distribution of a Class B substance (methamphetamine); and distribution of a Class B substance (Adderall).
Boston police said the arrest was part of an ongoing initiative in which NEST officers work alongside B.E.S.T. Team clinicians and the Mayor’s Office Coordinated Response Team to address public safety and quality-of-life issues while connecting people to substance abuse treatment, housing resources and mental health services.
The charges are allegations, and Hamler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Boston police arrested a Mattapan man following a drug trafficking investigation in the Mass and Cass area.
- Officers allegedly recovered approximately 19 grams of suspected fentanyl, suspected methamphetamine and cash.
- The suspect faces multiple drug trafficking and distribution charges.
