SALEM, Mass. -- Salem police believe a Lynn man arrested Tuesday afternoon on drug charges is using young teenagers to deliver drugs to customers, after seeing a 13-year-old boy handing money to him in Mary Jane Lee Park.
Edwin Oquendo, 20, was arrested on Palmer Street after Sgt. Kristian Hanson and officers from the Police Department's Special Response Unit watched an exchange between Oquendo and a 13-year-old boy, who then left the park.
Police stopped both the boy and Oquendo.
The boy had no drugs or money on him, but Oquendo was carrying seven small bags or "twists" of heroin, as well as $80 in cash, according to police.
Investigators believe that Oquendo, who already has a pending drug case in Salem District Court, has been recruiting boys to work for him.
Because of his new arrest, Oquendo's bail in the earlier case was revoked. In addition, Judge Michael Lauranzano set $500 cash bail on the new case, which includes charges of possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and a drug violation in a school zone or park.
Copyright 2011 - The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
