Police Arrest Stoneham Man On Multiple Drug Charges

STONEHAM - Anthony Gambardella, 29, was arrested by Stoneham Police on multiple drug charges over the weekend according to Chief James McIntyre.

The 29-year-old Stoneham resident was arrested and charged with:

• Selling Drug Paraphernalia to a Minor
• Distribution of a Class D Drug (Marijuana)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug (Marijuana)
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Two Counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of a Class D Drug (Marijuana)

On Saturday, June 29, at approximately 7:50 p.m., a Stoneham Police officer and sergeant were conducting underage alcohol and drug enforcement in the area of Fallon Road in Stoneham. The officers observed a black pickup truck with multiple youths inside park their vehicle at the Mave apartment complex, 225 Fallon Road. An individual, later determined to be a minor, exited the truck and walked toward a second individual, Gambardella, who had exited an apartment building carrying a black backpack.

Gambardella was known to one of the officers conducting the surveillance as he had witnessed alleged hand-to-hand transactions multiple times in the same apartment complex involving Gambardella.

Due to the suspicious nature of the meetup, the officers believed they were witnessing a drug transaction. The officers approached the individuals and after talking with each, it was determined the minor was allegedly attempting to buy drugs from Gambardella.

When officers were speaking with Gambardella and asked him to remove his backpack, he attempted to walk away from the officers and enter the apartment building. He refused to comply with the officers' request. Gambardella resisted and became combative until officers were eventually able to place him under arrest and remove his backpack.

While searching Gambardella's backpack, officers found THC vaporizer cartridges containing THC oil concentrate, two bags of marijuana, a bag of marijuana joints packed in a way consistent with narcotics distribution and $320.45.

Gambardella was arrested and booked by the Stoneham Police Department. He was arraigned in Woburn District Court on Monday. The minor involved was issued a Civil Disposition Violation and released to family.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty