Saugus man nabbed on numerous drug, weapons charges

SAUGUS – A local man faces multiple drug and firearms charges after police raided his home and found numerous illicit drugs as well as 21 marijuana plants growing among tomato plants. The man was also charged with possessing illegal fireworks.Eric Kermelewicz, 23, of 8 Jewett St., was arrested Friday night and arraigned on 14 charges in Lynn District Court on Monday. Charges included possession with intent to distribute marijuana, Ecstacy, LSD, crack cocaine, methamphetamines and Xanax as well as cultivating a controlled substance, marijuana plants. Kermelewicz also faces multiple weapons charges after police recovered two unregistered handguns and an unregistered rifle as well as ammunition, according to court documents.Police wrote in a report filed at court that the Jewett Street address “is well known to members of the Saugus Police Department, especially to the Drug Enforcement Unit.” The police received information of suspected drug activity at the house through the Saugus Police Drug Tip Line, the report notes, as callers reported multiple vehicles visiting the home at random times and visitors staying for only a few minutes.The report also notes that two occupants of the address, Kermelewicz and his father, Steven Kermelewicz, have been charged in the past with distribution and cultivation of a controlled class D substance. The report states that both Kermelewiczes may also face charges for theft of electricity after police noted a spliced power line. National Grid said that there had been no metered use of power at the residence since August 2010, according to the report, which also noted that the police observed lights and air conditioners operating.At the property, police recovered drugs that they calculated in the report as worth $10,770 – the majority of which came from 21 large marijuana plants in the home’s rear yard. Some of those plants could be observed from the street, the officers noted.”The scale of (Kermelewicz’s) grow has the potential to yield about 2-3 pounds of marijuana every 2-3 months,” the report noted. “This means (Kermelewicz) has the ability to sell his marijuana and the potential to earn approximately $3,900 to $12,000 every 2-3 months depending on his clientele, most likely somewhere in the middle of the two figures.”The report notes that Kermelewicz is unemployed, but police found 15-20 cell phones in his room, an IPad and “other luxuries.” Police also recovered packaging materials, scales and other items which “is consistent with distribution of narcotics.” In addition, the police report lists officers as recovering nearly $2,000 in cash, approximately $500 worth of foreign currency, and three unregistered guns – a 9-milimeter and a 6-milimeter handgun, and a 22-caliber shotgun. They also found illegal fireworks.The report states that Kermelewicz told police he smokes all the marijuana that he grows, although he does share some of it with friends.