Somerville woman and her alleged heroin supplier busted on Temple Street

On June 30, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

6/30/2010 06:00:50 AM

By George P. Hassett

A Dorchester man suspected of being a major drug trafficker swallowed four bags of heroin as Somerville police officers approached him June 24, police said.

Roberto Moreau-Rivera, 28, of Dorchester, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law, witness intimidation and possession to distribute a class A drug and Leslie Stephatos, 45, of 93 Temple St., was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law and warrant charges.

Police began their investigation after a confidential informant told drug investigators that "a middle aged white couple" at 93 Temple St. was selling heroin supplied by a Hispanic man each afternoon.

Investigators observed Moreau-Rivera drive to Stephatos' home at 93 Temple St. on June 24, police said. When police approached, Moreau-Rivera allegedly put his hand to his mouth and ingested the four bags of heroin he was going to sell to Stephatos.

Police seized Moreau-Rivera's cell phone and allegedly received several incoming telephone calls from drug customers. A drug-detection dog alerted investigators to the recent presence of drugs in Moreau-Rivera's car, police said.

Investigators also found an electrically activated hidden compartment known as a "Clavo" and associated with major drug traffickers, police said.