By Jim Clark

After receiving reports that drug distribution appeared to be taking place from the door step of a Prescott St. residence, Somerville Police began routine surveillance of this area.

The resident of this address, Steven Andrade, was known to police from various arrests including firearm and drug distribution charges.

During the surveillance, police officers observed Andrade hanging around on the steps of his residence. Andrade would reportedly make quick meets with various people outside of his home.

On Tuesday, October 8, the Somerville Police Drug Unit was directed to set up surveillance in the area.

Very quickly thereafter, observations were made of a vehicle with two passengers sitting inside parked two houses away from Andrade’s residence. After a few more minutes, another vehicle was observed parking directly across the street from Andrade’s residence in the opposite direction.

Subsequently, Andrade was observed exiting his home and entering the rear passenger side of the second vehicle. Andrade appeared to have nothing in his possession when he exited his home. He remained in the vehicle for approximately one minute and then exited.

Andrade was now reportedly in possession of a white plastic bag. He walked to the first vehicle and entered through the rear door. Andrade was inside for approximately thirty seconds as he appeared to be exchanging something with the operator of the car.

As Andrade exited, he no longer had the white plastic bag in his possession. Andrade re-entered the second vehicle as the first one began driving up Prescott towards Highland Avenue.

Officers began a rolling surveillance of the first vehicle until it stopped on Albion Street where where a threshold inquiry could be conducted. During this threshold inquiry, police determined that THC oil was purchased from Andrade.

The male operator, a juvenile, appeared nervous. Officers asked him where he was coming from and that they had observed him in what they believed to be a street level drug transaction.

The juvenile reportedly went into the center console of the car and took out two packs full of ten vials each of THC oil.

The juvenile reportedly stated that he paid Andrade five hundred dollars for the two packs and that he contacts him via SnapChat.

A fifteen-year-old juvenile was a passenger in the car as well.

Police officers went to Andrade’s residence to place him under arrest, and he was located inside a parked vehicle. The operator of this vehicle appeared to be rolling a joint as officers approached the vehicle.

Andrade stepped out of the vehicle and was placed into custody without incident. Police explained to Andrade that he had sold THC oil to juveniles. Andrade reportedly claimed he never met with anyone.

Andrade was transported to Somerville Police Headquarters where he was booked on a charge of distribution of a class C drug to a minor.

Andrade’s cell phone was seized as evidence for forfeiture proceedings