HEROIN CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST LYNN MEN

SALEM - Heroin distribution charges against two Lynn men were dropped
Wednesday after a judge determined the stop and search of a vehicle was
illegal.

[name1 redacted], 19, of [address redacted], and [name2 redacted], 23, of
[address redacted], both of Lynn, were charged with trafficking over 14
grams of heroin in connection with their arrest on Dec. 14, 2009.

Defense lawyers Raymond D. Buso and David Grimaldi challenged the search
and seizure of the heroin found in a vehicle during the preliminary trial
motion.

In Salem Superior Court Wednesday morning, Assistant District Attorney A.J.
Camelio said he was dropping the charges against the men because of a
ruling by Judge David A. Lowy and that the commonwealth would not be
appealing Lowy's decision to a higher court.

Around 7:40 p.m. on Dec. 14 police stopped the men on South Common Street
and discovered 20 grams of heroin inside the vehicle.

[name1 redacted], the driver, provided police with a fake name at the time
and had $1,912 in cash that was recovered during a pat frisk. [name2
redacted] was reportedly carrying $6,106 in cash. Authorities believed the
cash was proceeds from drug sales.