ROXBURY—Boston Police swooped in to nab a local crack dealer in a routine sting operation on a recent Tuesday. The suspect, 31-year-old William Allen, was caught red-handed allegedly peddling his wares in the bustling area near Roxbury Street and Washington Street.

According to the official police blotter, officers from the Citywide Neighborhood Engagement Safety Team (NEST), along with Districts B-2, C-6, and D-4, were patrolling the neighborhood at around 5:20 PM when they spotted two individuals engaged in a hand-to-hand exchange. After entering a store at 2371 Washington Street, the duo swiftly separated, raising suspicions among the watchful officers.

Just ten minutes later, Allen was seen meeting a second individual, and after a brief conversation, they too entered the same store, only to exit moments later in opposite directions. Officers quickly moved in on the female accomplice, recovering a small bag of crack cocaine from her possession. She was advised she would be summonsed for Possession of a Class B substance.

Boston Police Department officials shared these images with the public.

The situation escalated when Allen approached a third individual. After another shady exchange, officers pounced, seizing yet another bag of the illegal substance. Following this series of encounters, Allen found himself handcuffed and under arrest. A search incident to arrest revealed a staggering thirty-six individually wrapped plastic bags of crack cocaine stashed away in his possession.

Allen now faces serious charges, including two counts of Distribution of Class B and Possession of Class B with Intent to Distribute. As he prepares for arraignment in Roxbury District Court, the incident highlights the ongoing battle against drug-related activity in the community.