SALEM – One of four men arrested last week on drug trafficking charges in connection with a drug distribution ring involving a reputed Boston mobster had his bail increased Tuesday in Salem Superior Court.Robert Ciampa, 49, of 67 Brook St., Apt. 1, East Boston, also of Revere, petitioned for a bail reduction in Salem Superior Court after being held on $100,000 cash bail for pleading innocent to heroin trafficking in Lynn District Court last week.However, after listening to both the prosecution and defense, Judge Timothy Q. Feeley increased the bail to $150,000, saying it was based on Ciampa’s prior incarcerations, 30-year criminal record and the 10-year mandatory punishment he is facing.It was far less than the $750,000 sought by First Assistant District Attorney Jack Dawley, but Ciampa is not expected to make that cash amount at this time.Ciampa, along with reputed mobster Mark Rossetti, 50, of East Boston, Henderson Martinez, 21, of Boston, and Juan Valdez, 22, of 136 Timson St., Lynn, were arrested during a major drug bust on May 21 after several months of investigation into a sophisticated drug operation in which undercover police bought drugs from Valdez twice before their arrest.State police, aided by Boston, Revere and Lynn police, obtained an anticipatory warrant, based on the expectation of a drug deal.They followed alleged drug suppliers Valdez and Martinez from Lynn as they drove to 1229 Bennington St. in East Boston, the home of Rossetti, to allegedly conduct transactions with Ciampa, who would in turn sell them in his own community.Rossetti, a reputed capo in the New England Mafia, allegedly served as a facilitator, a protector of drug dealers and drug buyers.Police surrounded Rosetti’s home after Valdez and Martinez arrived. In a hidden compartment in the vehicle, police said they seized approximately 142 grams of heroin. Ciampa and Rossetti were inside the home and were arrested.Authorities said two subsequent searches in Lynn discovered another 10 grams of heroin, $27,000 in cash and a loaded handgun.Dawley, in his pitch for the higher bail, said it was based on the underlying facts, Ciampa’s record which dates back to 1979, the number of violent acts and drug convictions on his record, including three state prison terms.Dawley told Feeley that the case will be presented to a grand jury in multiple jurisdictions.Defense lawyer, Edward Reilly argued for a much lower bail, suggesting $20,000 cash with a curfew, electronic bracelet and random drug testing, while insisting that “no money, no drugs” were found on his client at the time of his arrest.He said Ciampa worked as a used car salesman, had a small cottage in Revere and supported his 16-year-old daughter and there is no allegation his client was involved in organized crime.He was in the “wrong place at the wrong time,” Reilly maintained.Ciampa is due back in Lynn District Court on June 22 for a pretrial conference.Rossetti is held on $250,000, Valdez was ordered held on $50,000 and Martinez was ordered held on $10,000 cash following their arraignment last Friday in Lynn District Court.
