By Jim Clark

Somerville Police undercover narcotics officers, while conducting surveillance operations in the Winter Hill area last week, whereupon they spotted what they regarded as suspicious activity on the part of two individuals, identified as Charles Ryan, 38, of Roxbury, and Nicholas Cunha, 34, of Charlestown.

Ryan was reportedly known by the officers as having an active case against him on charges of distribution of heroin.

According to reports, Ryan and Cunha were observed walking along the streets of the area, and at one point met up with the occupants of a car and a hand exchange was reportedly performed by Ryan and the driver of the car.

Ryan and Cunha then reportedly walked to another location where a waiting vehicle picked them up. A rolling surveillance was maintained by police.

The vehicle in question reportedly made a number of stops in the area, with Ryan and Cunha often exiting the vehicle and entering then quickly exiting several places of business.

While at a restaurant on Mystic Ave., police observed Ryan and Cunha enter the establishment and at that time police stopped the suspect vehicle, at which time both Ryan and Cunha began to run from the restaurant down Mystic Ave., police said.

Ignoring police commands to stop, Ryan reportedly continued to run, but was taken down by officers. According to reports, Ryan discarded four men’s watches as he was apprehended. Officers reported that they found $968 in cash on Ryan’s person. Ryan reportedly offered conflicting explanations to officers as to the origin of the money.

Cunha was eventually spotted walking along Mystic Ave. and was apprehended by police and brought back to the scene of the initial confrontation.

A search of the suspect’s vehicle reportedly yielded several hypodermis syringes/needles. One syringe found in a backpack reportedly contained what was believed to be liquefied heroin. According to reports, Cunha admitted that the backpack belonged to him.

After questioning several individuals involved in the observed incidents, police learned that Ryan was allegedly distributing heroin to various customers in the area.

One involved individual reportedly told police that the suspect’s car had a secret compartment where drugs were kept. After conducting a search, 11 small plastic bags of what was believed to be heroin were retrieved.

Cunha was placed under arrest and charged with being present where heroin is kept and conspiracy to violate drug law.

Ryan was likewise placed under arrest, charged with conspiracy to violate drug law, drug violation near a school, and drug possession to distribute.