POT BUST NETS 300 POUNDS

A Belmont man was arrested yesterday with nearly 300 pounds of
marijauna in his car following a six-month investigation by local,
state and federal law enforcement officials.

(redacted), 27, is charged with two counts of marijuana trafficking
after the 1:40 p.m. arrest, Natick Police spokesman Lt. Brian Grassey
said.

"I think this is the largest marijuana seizure we've had," said
Grassey. "This was a significant endeavor."

In total, police recovered 292 pounds of marijuana, which is valued at
more than $500,000 on the street, Grassey said. To put it in
perspective, an average joint has a half gram of marijuana in it. That
would equal 264,900 joints.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration out of New Hampshire began
the investigation into (redacted) six months ago. The Natick Police
Department and the Massachusetts State Police took part in the operation.

Recently, the investigators learned that (redacted)., was
scheduled to receive a large delivery of marijuana at an address in
Natick yesterday. The exact location of the delivery was not released
due to "investigator concern," but the bust occurred near the St.
Patrick Cemetery.

"Their information was pretty solid," Grassey said.

The detectives watched (redacted) receive two large deliveries and then
made the arrest, Grassey said.

The deliveries totaled about 15 bales of marijuana. When stacked, it
would be more than one and a half feet wide and 10 feet tall.

Because there were two deliveries, police charged (redacted) with two
counts each of trafficking and possession of drugs in a school or park
zone, Grassey said.

Natick Police Detective Kevin Delehanty said (redacted) probably is not a
street dealer.

"He's more of a middle man," the detective said.

The arrest is just a part of a larger investigation, Delehanty said.
The person who lives where the drugs were delivered was also
questioned, but not arrested.

(redacted) pleaded not guilty at his Natick District Court arraignment
yesterday, and was ordered held on $50,000 bail. He is due back in
court next week.

The bail amount was not a surprise "given the significant weight and
value, and this person looks to be deeply immersed in the (drug
culture)," Grassey said.

If convicted, (redacted) faces a minimum of three years in prison and a
maximum of 15 years for each trafficking charge.