On Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, Officers assigned to the A-7 (East Boston) Drug Control Unit arrested 29-year-old John Restiepo-Yepes, of Revere, MA for Drug Related Offenses near McClellan Hwy. and Visconti Rd., East Boston.

At about 8:15 PM, Officers assigned to the A-7 Drug Control Unit were investigating illegal drug activity in the Orient Heights neighborhood of East Boston. During their investigation, Officers observed a vehicle enter a parking lot located on Bennington St. and park across several open parking spots, blocking several other vehicles. Moments later, Officers observed a male walk into the parking lot and enter the front passenger side of the vehicle, and watched it drive away. Due to prior experience and knowledge of illegal drug transactions in this parking lot, Officers further investigated the vehicle.

Officers observed the vehicle drive onto Saratoga St., and quickly pull over only several yards away from the parking lot, before the male in the front passenger seat exited the vehicle. Officers stopped this man and their investigation revealed that a drug transaction had occurred. This male was summoned to East Boston District Court for Possession of Class B, Cocaine.

Several Officers who were still monitoring the vehicle requested additional units, and Officers assigned to District A-7 were able conduct a traffic stop of the previously mentioned vehicle at McClellan Hwy. and Visconti Rd. As Officers approached the vehicle, they observed the operator, later identified as Restiepo-Yepes, attempting to hide something under his right leg while inside his vehicle. Restiepo-Yepes was placed in custody and an investigation of Restiepo-Yepes' person and his vehicle led to the recovery of eight (8) bags containing a trafficking amount of cocaine. Additionally, Officers recovered drug packaging materials, and an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency.
John Restiepo-Yepes is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court for the charges of Distribution Class B, Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B, Trafficking Cocaine (18-36 grams), and Operating a Motor Vehicle without being Licensed. A query revealed that Restiepo-Yepes also had two outstanding arrest warrants and will be arraigned for an additional two (2) counts of Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.