East Boston Man Facing Cocaine Trafficking Charges

Boston MA

24 February, 2022

2:52 PM

Description

EAST BOSTON — An East Boston man was arrested Wednesday after a months-long cocaine trafficking investigation. Julio Eduardo Zapata-Serna, 48, of East Boston was charged with four counts of distribution of a Class B narcotic after State Police gathered an arrest warrant. Throughout January and February, investigators conducted several undercover purchases of cocaine from Zapata-Serna at his home at 114 Cottage Street. After arresting Zapata-Serna, who police said had thousands of dollars in cash on him, police conducted a warranted search of his home, recovering about 151 grams of cocaine. As a result of the seizure, Zapata-Serna will be charged with trafficking a Class B narcotic and possession of a Class B narcotic with intent to distribute. He was held at Nashua Street Jail overnight and is expected to be arraigned Thursday in East Boston District Court. If convicted, the maximum penalty for trafficking a Class B substance in Massachusetts of more than 100 grams can be up to 20 years in jail. No additional information was immediately available.