Worcester, MA (January 24, 2012) - On Tuesday January 24, 2012 members of the Worcester Police Vice Squad conducted a sting operation with the target being a street level drug dealer. On this day, vice officers were able to obtain the phone number of a drug dealer through information provided by established informants. The vice officer made a phone call to Gilberto Valentine, 47 years old of 21 Oread Street, and placed an order for heroin. Mr. Valentine informed the vice officer to meet him at Main and Oread Streets. A few minutes later, Mr. Valentine arrived and made the drug transaction with the vice officer. Shortly after the transaction was completed the suspect walked away and entered into a nearby store. Valentine was apprehended by vice officers positioned close by and placed him under arrest.

A search of Mr. Valentine produced 11 additional half gram bags of heroin. Mr. Valentine was charged with Possession of Class A with the Intent to Distribute, Distribution of Class A Substance and a Drug Violation within 1,000 Feet of a School (Jacob Hyatt Magnet School).

As the officers were inside the store arresting Valentine, the under cover vice officer was outside the store waiting for them to bring him out. At this time the under cover officer was approached by Jonathan Figueroa, 24 years old of 7 Mount Pleasant Street. Mr. Figueroroa asked the under cover officer if he wanted to buy some crack cocaine. Mr. Figueroa opened his hand and showed the officer a knotted bag containing a small rock of crack cocaine. The officer gave Figueroa some money and walked away. Nearby vice officers witnessed this transaction and stepped in and arrested Mr. Figueroa. Figueroa was charged with Distribution of Class B Substance and a Drug Violation within 1,000 Feet of a School (Jacob Hyatt Magnet School).

There will be no new additional information released at this time.