SALEM – An Essex County grand jury has returned indictments on separate cases against two men allegedly involved in cocaine distribution in Lynn and Salem.Chris Figueroa, 21, of 5 Lawrence St., #9, Everett, stands charged with distribution of cocaine in connection with his arrest in Lynn on the night of June 5 when he allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover officer in the area of Almont and Blake streets.Because Figueroa previously was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in Lynn in 2006, he faces a minimum mandatory punishment of five years in state prison.Assistant District Attorney Melissa A. Woodard is prosecuting the case for the state.Also indicted:Showky Lara, 24, of 15 Fessenden St., #6, Mattapan, charged with trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine concerns his arrest when police seized 94 grams of pure cocaine, worth approximately $20,000, from him when he pulled up to a driveway in a Jeep Cherokee in the area of Balcomb and Oakland streets near the Salem/Peabody line on May 16. Police had received a tip that he would be delivering the cocaine and set up surveillance.Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Patten is assigned to prosecute the case.Indictments are not an indication of guilt. It is a legal process in which a grand jury decides if a case warrants a jury trial in Superior Court.
