STATE POLICE DRUG STING NETS THREE Feb. 4, 2008 After a weeks-long investigation, State Police narcotics detectives assigned to Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s Office last week arrested three men who allegedly ran a Revere-based drug ring, including one man who had mutilated his own fingertips in an apparent bid to stymie efforts to identify him. Suffolk County prosecutors successfully argued to have “major case prints” – inked impressions of the palm and entire length of the fingers – taken from one defendant, believed to be RAFAEL L. CESAREO (D.O.B. 1/23/77) of Revere, because he had either burned or chewed off his own fingerprints. Investigators took his booking photo to the Registry of Motor Vehicles Facial Recognition Unit, which used biometric identification technology to match him with an active Massachusetts driver’s license in that name – as well as a denied application for a license under the name of JONATHAN CAEZ (D.O.B. 10/22/76). “Criminal defendants will go to great lengths to elude law enforcement,” Conley said. “This sort of self-mutilation is fortunately rare, but even that couldn’t prevent us from identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting him.” Cesario was arraigned Friday in Chelsea District Court on charges of cocaine trafficking, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the state’s drug laws. He was held without bail as state and federal investigators work to determine his true identity. Also arraigned Friday were two other men, RETNALDO MARTINO, a.k.a. LUIS FERRERA, 35 (D.O.B. 2/5/72), of Revere and ELIEZER SANCHEZ-CORREA, 28 (D.O.B. 9/29/79), both of whom allegedly worked with Cesareo in a drug distribution ring that operated out of a third-floor apartment at 54 Shirley Avenue. In the weeks preceding yesterday’s arrests, undercover state troopers made numerous controlled buys from the men, recovering abundant quantities of both cocaine and heroin. Martino and Sanchez-Correa were also charged with cocaine trafficking, heroin distribution, and numerous related offenses. Sanchez-Correa was held on half a million dollars’ cash bail, and Martino was held without bail as a fugitive from the State of New York. When troopers hit the residence on a warrant approved by Conley’s Narcotics Unit, they recovered an additional 28 grams of cocaine, as well as large amounts of heroin, cash, and drug packaging and manufacturing paraphernalia. All three will return to Chelsea District Court later this month. Conley said his office would seek indictments against them to move the cases to Suffolk Superior Court, where they will face harsher penalties and mandatory state prison time if convicted. Return to the Press Releases page.