Published in the February 26, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Police Chief Michael L. Lyle reports that the Melrose Police Department arrested two men on charges of possession of heroin and cocaine on Thursday, Feb. 18 after an undercover drug investigation.
Police said that Anthony Vivolo, 45, of Melrose was charged with possession of a Class B drug, cocaine and Gerald Ahern, 47, of Wilmington, was charged with possession of a Class A drug, heroin. Police responded to a residence on Hurd Street after receiving complaints of drug activity.
Working with representatives from a regional drug task force, the Melrose detectives set up surveillance at the residence at 2 p.m. While monitoring the area, police said they noticed a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck arrive at Vivolo’s home and watched him get into the vehicle.
Officers then observed the pickup truck pull into the Richdale Convenience Store, 54 West Wyoming Ave. The police officers approached the vehicle and said they noticed a baggie filled with a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine inside. Police then asked Vivolo to step out of the vehicle and said they found another bag of the same substance in his pants pocket, according to a police statement.
The operator of the truck was identified as Ahern. He was also asked to exit the vehicle, and upon doing so, police said they located three baggies of what appeared to be heroin in his possession, the statement said.
“I would certainly like to commend the work of Melrose Police and the representatives from the drug task force who assisted us during this investigation,” Chief Lyle said. “It is our hope that these folks who are struggling with drug addiction will seek out the help they need to recover.”
Vivolo and Ahern were held at the Melrose Police Department pending their arraignment at Malden District Court.
