Bail set at $75K for Malden man in drug trafficking case

SALEM – Bail for a Malden man arrested for drug trafficking in Lynnfield was set at $75,000 after he pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Salem Superior Court.Salvador Acevedo, Jr., 38, also known as Edgar Santiago, of 32B Salem St., Malden, pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine and possession of a false motor vehicle license.In asking Judge David A. Lowy for the high bail, Assistant Attorney General Michael A. Callanan said it was based on the quantity of cocaine and the different identifications used by Salvador.Defense lawyer, Carlos Dominguez did not dispute the amount requested from the commonwealth.The case followed a 6-week investigation into suspected drug activity by Acevedo in the greater Boston and North Shore area.State police stopped Acevedo in a gray Ford Explorer on Route 1 in Lynnfield on July 26. When arrested, he provided police with a false driver?s license.Inside the vehicle, authorities said they seized approximately 233 grams of cocaine.Police also learned the Ford Explorer was registered to the defendant under the name of Edgar Santiago of Boston Street in Lynn.A police search of Acevedo?s Malden apartment on Salem Street apparently revealed about 1,100 grams of cocaine, more than a kilo, and $40,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug deals.Acevedo faces a mandatory 15 years in state prison, if convicted.Callanan filed a motion to transfer and consolidate the case with Middlesex County.In the meantime, Salvador remains held in custody on bail at the East Cambridge Jail.