Somerville Police: Drug cops find 224 grams of pot, oxy's and methadone in Somerville man's bag

By George P. Hassett A 20-year-old Boston Avenue man allegedly selling drugs in Somerville, was arrested May 19 with an assortment of pills and bags of marijuana, police said. Matteo James Passanisi was identified to police as a drug dealer by separate sources, police said. Drug unit detectives approached Passanisi as he walked along Nashua Street carrying a black backpack, police said.

Detectives stopped and searched Passanisi and allegedly found 19 methadone tablets and three oxycontin pills. They also allegedly found 224 grams of marijuana, almost a half pound, packaged in 31 plastic bags and a digital scale.

Passanisi was arrested and charged with distribution of a class B drug subsequent offense and distribution of a class D drug.