By Jim Clark

Based on intelligence gathered last Friday, members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit and Gang/Anti-Crime Unit, assisted by Somerville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, established surveillance of a Woodstock St. location in preparation for a drug deal interdiction.

Police had been reportedly tipped off about a sale of illegal drugs to be made by Steven Pinson, 38, of Malden. It was learned that Pinson reportedly had a hidden storage compartment in his vehicle, which was routinely used to transport quantities of heroin and cocaine throughout the area.

At mid-afternoon Pinson arrived at the Woodstock St. location and parked, waiting inside his vehicle, according to reports. At one point he exited the vehicle and stood waiting on the sidewalk, then returned to wait again inside his car, police said.

Shortly thereafter, a man who had walked through the Woodstock Park/Playground area while Pinson was outside of his car arrived and entered the vehicle, according to reports.

Police officers immediately closed in and removed Pinson from his vehicle, at which time a plastic bag containing what police believed to be heroin was reportedly dropped to the ground by the suspect.

Three additional bags were recovered from Pinson’s hand as he was placed under arrest.

After being advised of his rights, Pinson reportedly admitted to police that his car had a hidden compartment and he showed them where it was.

In total, approximately 116 grams of heroin and 68 grams of cocaine, along with $3,453 in currency, were seized by the law enforcement officers.

Pinson has been charged with trafficking in heroin / morphine / opium and trafficking in cocaine.