Lynn cops nab pair amid drug deal

LYNN – Police say they foiled a would-be cocaine transaction on Monday night after an undercover officer spotted two men acting suspiciously on Camden Street.The suspects, Agapito Rivera, 40, of 19 Northside Ave., Lynn and Juan A. Martinez, 29, of 407 Saratoga St., #3, East Boston, were both charged with trafficking more than 14 grams of cocaine. Martinez was also charged with resisting arrest. Both suspects were arraigned Tuesday at Lynn District Court by Judge James Wexler and each ordered held on $15,000 cash bail. A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 18.According to court documents, an undercover Lynn officer was conducting surveillance in the area of Western Avenue and Ida Street, when he noticed the driver, Rivera, of a red Dodge acting suspicious. Police say Rivera appeared to be looking around in all directions and moved his car about 100 feet from his current spot and continued to check out the area as if he was waiting for someone to arrive.A few minutes later, a green Ford pulled over on Camden Street directly across from Rivera, where Rivera allegedly got into the passenger side of the Ford. The undercover officer then called for backup as he approached the trucks.Rivera allegedly bent over and placed his hands under his seat as the officer peered into the window of the truck and saw a large amount of money and an empty plastic baggie in the center console. After asking Rivera to step out of the truck, police found a large bag of cocaine under the seat. In the meantime, Martinez allegedly became fidgety and began running toward the rear of his vehicle, where officers took him to the ground and arrested him.In all, $1,402 was found in the truck, along with a large folding knife beneath the driver?s seat. During Rivera?s booking, police found two cellular phones in his possession and $428. Martinez had one cellular phone and $17. Police say the cocaine weighed in at more than 15 grams.