THREE MEN ARRAIGNED ON COCAINE TRAFFICKING CHARGES

MALDEN - This morning, three men were arraigned on charges they allegedly distributed trafficking amounts of cocaine in and around the Malden area. Salvador Acevedo, age 38, of Malden, Luis Quinones-Pagan, age 40, of Malden, and Israel Pagan, age 33, of Revere, were arrested late Thursday by State Police assigned to the Attorney General's Office. Acevedo and Quinones-Pagan were arraigned today in Malden District Court. Acevedo was charged with Trafficking Cocaine over 200 grams (1 count), Conspiracy (1 count) and School Zone Violation (1 count). Quinones-Pagan was charged with Trafficking Cocaine over 200 grams (1 count), Conspiracy (1 count) and School Zone Violation (1 count). Israel Pagan was charged in Chelsea District Court with Trafficking Cocaine over 28 grams (1 count), Conspiracy (1 count) and School Zone Violation (1 count). All pleaded not guilty to the charges. Acevedo was held on $100,000 cash bail and Quinones-Pagan was held on $50,000 cash bail. Pagan was held on $25,000 cash bail.

The arrests are the result of a month-long investigation by State Police assigned to the Attorney General's Office into cocaine distribution activity in the Malden area. Authorities allege that Acevedo and Quinones-Pagan were allegedly distributing large amounts of cocaine in the Malden and Revere areas. Yesterday, based on information developed during the course of the investigation, State Police executed search warrants on a motor vehicle and at residences in Malden and Revere. As a result, State Police seized more than 1,300 grams of cocaine worth an approximate value of $40,000-$50,000 on the street.

Acevedo and Quinones-Pagan were arrested without incident yesterday afternoon by State Police. They were arraigned in Malden District Court where they pleaded not guilty to the charges and were held on cash bail. They are next scheduled to appear in court August 21.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Michael Callanan. State Police assigned to the Attorney General's Office along with State Police assigned to the Middlesex County and Essex County District Attorney's Offices and Malden Police investigated this case.

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