By Jim Clark

Undercover officers from the Somerville Police Department Narcotics/Vice Unit became suspicious of certain activities in the Morrison Avenue and Willow Avenue area last week and took steps to investigate further.

According to reports, two males were observed hanging out in the area, coming and going from a local variety store, sometimes pacing up and down the street, and frequently making use of a cell phone. On occasion, one man would duck into a nearby driveway as the other man appeared to be standing as look out, police said.

The men, Steven Merrill, 29, and David Seibel, 27, of Whitman, MA, remained under surveillance as they roamed the area on foot, police said.

Police reports indicate that at one point Seibel entered a motor vehicle as it stopped on Morrison Avenue and then exited the car a mere 10-15 seconds afterwards. Seibel then rejoined Merrill on Morrison Avenue and they made their way towards College Avenue, while the vehicle in question performed an illegal U-turn, according to police.

Surveillance on Seibel and Merrill was maintained while the car was followed and then stopped at the intersection of Charles Ryan Road and Broadway, police said.

The driver of the car, Mebrahtu Sisay, 26, was confronted by officers and nine individual glassine baggies of a green, leafy, herbal substance believed to be Marijuana was subsequently confiscated, according to police reports.

A passenger in the car, Danielle Dearmon, 22, was reportedly questioned and subsequently one additional baggie containing what appeared to the officers to be pot was also confiscated, police said.

Police report that Sisay admitted to selling a bag of marijuana to Seibel for $50. He was arrested and charged with drug violation near a school or a park, distribution of a class D drug, and conspiracy to violate drug law. Dearmon was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate drug law.

Seibel and Merrill were picked up at the library on College Avenue. Seibel was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate drug law. Merrill was arrested and charged with miscellaneous municipal ordinance violation.