For Immediate Release   September 6, 2007 

                                   
Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner   617-679-6522
 

Three Arrested, Approximately 500 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Drug Busts In Framingham, Cambridge,
Hingham, And Charlestown
Street Value Of Drugs Is Approximately $1 Million

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that three men have been arrested in connection with the seizure of approximately 500 pounds of marijuana (street value of approximately $1,000,000) and other drugs in Framingham, Cambridge, Hingham, and Charlestown. The arrests and seizures are the result of an investigation conducted by the Massachusetts State Police PACT Unit and Framingham Police, and executed in cooperation with Cambridge Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Michael D. Lowney, age 51, of Cambridge, Christopher Jackman, age 50, of Framingham, and Robert Kee, Jr., age 21, of Framingham have been arrested and arraigned on various drug distribution and possession charges.

“Drug use, abuse, and addiction is the root cause of many crimes that compromise the quality of life in our communities, and we are going to continue to work together to investigate and prosecute cases in which drugs are being used and distributed on our streets,” District Attorney Leone said. “These arrests are the result of outstanding investigation and cooperation amongst the Massachusetts State Police, Framingham Police, Cambridge Police, and the DEA.”

“This investigation demonstrates the value of cooperation and sharing of information between law enforcement agencies,” Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl said. “In cases such as narcotics trafficking, it is common for distribution networks to cross national and international lines of jurisdiction. In this new era of policing, information sharing and cross-jurisdictional cooperation is critical to allow us to more effectively break up these distribution networks.”

On Monday, September 3, following an investigation by the Framingham Police Department, defendant Robert Kee was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance (marijuana), distribution of a class D substance (marijuana), and school zone violation.

Upon further investigation by Framingham Police, a search warrant was executed for the home of Christopher Jackman at his residence of 258 Edmunds Road in Framingham. Upon a search of the home, Framingham Police seized approximately 50 pounds of marijuana, approximately $36,000 in US currency, other drugs, and various paraphernalia (including a large digital scale and packaging material). Jackman was arrested and charged with conspiracy, trafficking in marijuana over 50 pounds but less than 100 pounds, possession with intent to distribute a class D substance (marijuana), possession with intent to distribute a class C substance (hallucinogenic mushrooms), and distribution of a class D substance (marijuana).

On Tuesday, September 4, narcotics officers from the Framingham Police Department contacted Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s PACT unit regarding their ongoing marijuana trafficking investigation.

The investigation had identified a possible large-scale marijuana trafficker as Michael D. Lowney of Cambridge.  On Tuesday at approximately 7:45 p.m., following an investigation, members of the Middlesex PACT Unit, along with special agents and troopers from the DEA and Cambridge Police executed a search warrant and made a peaceful entry into the home of Lowney.

Found within the apartment was a large amount of marijuana believed to be hundreds of pounds, approximately $87,000 in US currency, various paraphernalia (including a heavy duty scale and packaging material) and paperwork associated with the distribution of marijuana.  Also located in the apartment was a quantity of heroin as well as numerous Percocet pills believed to be in excess of 28 grams. 

An additional search warrant was obtained and a search conducted by the Middlesex PACT Unit as well as State Police assigned to the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office at a storage facility in Hingham where an approximate 100 pounds of marijuana was seized.

Upon further investigation, a search warrant was obtained and a search conducted last evening by the Middlesex PACT Unit at a storage facility in Charlestown where an approximate 75 pounds of marijuana was seized.

Lowney was arrested on Tuesday and arraigned yesterday in Cambridge District Court on charges of trafficking of Class D substance (marijuana) over 100 pounds, possession of a Class A substance (heroin), and trafficking of a Class B substance (oxycodone) over 28 grams. At his arraignment in Cambridge District Court, he was ordered held on $20,000 cash bail by Judge Severlin Singleton.

Kee and Jackman were arraigned in Framingham District Court on their charges on Tuesday before Judge Douglas Stoddart. Kee was released on personal recognizance and his next appearance will be in Framingham District Court on October 17 for a pretrial hearing. Jackman was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail and his next appearance will be in Framingham District Court on October 1 for a pretrial hearing.

The Middlesex PACT Unit is a team of prosecutors and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of cases of public integrity, anti-terrorism, corruption, technology, and high-level narcotics.

The Assistant District Attorney assigned to these cases is Karen Wells.

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