Two locals nabbed in state bust
Published on December 23rd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA -Two Stoneham men were arrested last Thursday for their alleged role in a multimillion dollar drug trade with ties to the New England mob.
Richard Moretto, 38, and Stephen DiStefano, 50, were both arrested in a predawn raid and charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to a spokesperson for the state’s district attorney’s office, Moretto and DiStefano worked for reputed North End mobster Anthony Rizzo, 40, by distributing marijuana to the greater Boston area.
"Richard Moretto was involved with the marijuana operation. When police searched his home yesterday, they found 30 pounds of marijuana and a lot of cash," said spokesperson Beth Stone. "DiStefano was kind of a financier for the operation. Based on our investigation, he was a major marijuana dealer who worked for Rizzo and Moretto," Stone added.
Moretto and DiStefano were two of the eighteen persons arrested last Thursday in a multi-community drug raid executed in Stoneham, Revere, Peabody, Somerville, Malden, South Boston and the North End. According to law enforcement officials, the arrests deliver a huge blow to the Boston area’s cocaine, marijuana and OxyContin drug trade.
Police made the arrests after a 15-month investigation that used high tech surveillance including GPS tracking devices and phone taps.
At 6 A.M. on Thursday, 130 law enforcement officials stormed the homes of 17 individuals they believed to be involved in the drug ring and seized 13 firearms, 245 grams of cocaine, 62 pounds of marijuana, and over $30,000 in cash. Police also took possession of 14 cars that were allegedly used in the drug trade.
Lawyers for DiStefano and Moretto did not return calls for comment.
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