Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044
For Immediate Release
Friday, Sept. 22, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Stoneham Police Arrest Pair on Drug Charges
STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre reports that the Stoneham Police Department arrested two individuals Wednesday on multiple drug charges.
RYAN BIRTWISTLE, AGE 24, OF STONEHAM was arrested and charged with:
- Distribution of a Class B Drug (Subsequent Offense)
- Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act
- Possession of a Class B Drug
- Possession of a Class C Drug
- Possession of a Class E Drug
Additionally, KAYLA SMITH-BERTINI, AGE 22, OF LOWELL was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Class B Drug With Intent to Distribute
- Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act
- Possession of a Class B Drug
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, Stoneham Police and officers from the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force executed a search warrant against BIRTWISTLE that was obtained after a months-long investigation into his suspected involvement in drug distribution.
Over the course of their investigation, Stoneham Police had conducted extensive surveillance on BIRTWISTLE and SMITH-BERTINI, and followed them as the pair drove to Lynn on Wednesday afternoon. In Lynn, BIRTWISTLE and SMITH-BERTINI allegedly stopped at a playground and waited until a second car arrived. Officers observed as BIRTWISTLE entered the second car, which then drove away as SMITH-BERTINI followed in BIRTWISTLE’s car. A short time later, the two vehicles stopped and BIRTWISTLE returned to his own car.
Based on their training and experience, as well as existing information they had learned through the course of their ongoing investigation, officers believed that BIRTWISTLE and SMITH-BERTINI’s actions were consistent with a narcotics transaction.
Once they returned to Stoneham, officers stopped the pair’s vehicle and conducted a search on BIRTWISTLE. Police found more than 100 oxycodone pills in his possession.
Stoneham Police then executed their existing search warrant on BIRTWISTLE’s home and located a variety of pills, cash, plastic bags and two digital scales.
As a result of the investigation, both BIRTWISTLE and SMITH-BERTINI were taken into custody without incident. BIRTWISTLE and SMITH-BERTINI were arraigned in Woburn District Court on Friday.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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