By Jim Clark

Members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit conducted a narcotics interdiction surveillance operation along the lower end of Broadway last Friday.

They focused their attention on a woman, Maryann Zeletsky, 54, as she left her Broadway residence.

Zeletsky reportedly walked some distance, frequently looking around as she traveled, as if expecting to meet someone, according to police. The surveillance team reportedly noted that Zeletsky appeared nervous and made frequent use of her cell phone, which the officers felt was behavior consistent with drug purchasers.

During the course of their surveillance, officers learned that Zeletsky had active outstanding warrants for her arrest in effect.

A car eventually arrived and picked up Zeletsky and a rolling surveillance was initiated. Police said that the car took Zeletsky back to her residence, driving only a short distance from the pick up location.

As Zeletsky exited the vehicle she was confronted by narcotics officers, and it was reportedly noted that she held her fist clenched, as if concealing something from sight, according to police.

The woman reportedly complied when police ordered her to unclench her hand, revealing six small plastic bags containing a white powdery substance that the officers suspected was cocaine, police said.

It was reported that Zeletsky readily confessed to buying cocaine while she was riding in the vehicle that was followed.

Police then asked the driver of the vehicle, Imran Laltaprasad, 29, of Quincy, to step out of the car. The officers said that a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from the interior of the car.

When questioned about the situation, Laltaprasad reportedly denied supplying the cocaine to Zeletsky or possessing any drugs at all. A search of Laltaprasad’s person turn up $350 in two separate stacks.

It was noted by officers on the scene that Laltaprasad had a prosthetic leg, and that a thorough search was not practical at the investigation site.

Laltaprasad and Zeletsky were placed under arrest and transported to Somerville Police Department Headquarters for booking and processing.

After speaking further with police, Laltaprasad was reportedly persuaded to remove 10 plastic bags believed to contain cocaine and two bags containing a brownish powder believed to be heroin that were hidden in his prosthesis.

Laltaprasad was charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and drug possession to distribute.

Zeletsky was charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and possession of a class B drug, and also booked on warrant charges of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, license not in possession, and conspiracy to violate drug law.