Winthrop drug dealers arrested during morning sweep

WINTHROP, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Eight drug dealers and two additional offenders were arrested Wednesday after a three-month long investigation, according to a release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

The investigation ended with a morning sweep Wednesday in Winthrop where eight accused drug dealers and two additional offenders with open warrants were arrested. Undercover detectives set up controlled purchases starting in September to curb drug distribution in Winthrop, the release said.

"This was more than just a drug sweep," Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said. "It was a targeted investigation to increase the quality of life for all of Winthrop. Nearly every one of these offenders made statements to undercover investigators about violent crimes they'd previously committed or planned to commit in the future."

The following Winthrop residents were arrested Wednesday:

• Douglas Bitopoulos, 29, was charged with two counts each of distribution of class A and class B substances and three counts of conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws.
• Charles Butler, 22, was charged with distribution of a class D substance and conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws.
• April Colvario, 38, was charged with distribution of a class B, class C, and class D substance, as well as conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws.
• Brian R. Donahue, 32, was charged with four counts of distribution of a class B substance.
• Francis Forsyth, 40, was charged with distribution of a class A substance, trespassing, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and breaking and entering.
• Alexander Madden, 26, was charged with distribution of a class B substance as a second or subsequent offense, possession with intent to distribute a class B substance as a second or subsequent offense, and violating the state's drug laws in a school or park zone.
• Eric J. Monahan, 35, was charged with distribution of a class A substance, conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws, larceny over $250, and possession of burglarious tools.
• Michael Murphy, 32, was charged with distribution of a class B substance and conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws.

The following were arrested on unrelated warrants:

• Thomas Kelley, 51, was arrested on a warrant for assault and battery out of Cambridge.
• Tatiana Yeakley, 25, was arrested on a warrant out of Burlington.

Undercover troopers from the State Police Gang Unit and Suffolk County Detective Unit repeatedly purchased cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription pills from the defendants between September and December, the release said. Those purchases were the bases for the arrest warrants executed. State Police reviewed open warrants for defendants living in Winthrop and then arrested the additional suspects.

All of the arrested parties were arraigned in East Boston Wednesday.

Cox Media Group