A Dorchester man found himself in handcuffs following a car crash yesterday in South Boston that led to a suspected drug bust. According to Boston Police Department, Andre Dos Santos, 34, was arrested on multiple charges including trafficking cocaine and operating under the influence after his Chevy collided with a Mazda at the intersection of M Street and East First Street.
Officers responding to the scene at around 5:21 p.m., found the Boston Fire Department personnel already present, indicating an accident had occurred. When they talked to the woman driving the Mazda, she explained that she had been struck by the Chevy. Trying to engage with the Chevy’s operator, identified as Dos Santos, police reported that he turned aggressive, causing onlookers to gather.
Detecting signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes and slurred speech, officers quickly suspected Dos Santos of operating his vehicle while under the influence. His belligerent behavior escalated into charges of disorderly conduct. During a search, police discovered a plastic bag containing smaller bags of a white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine, in Dos Santos' front right jeans pocket.
A further search yielded a small vial containing more of the same powdery substance on a passenger in the vehicle. Recovered from Dos Santos, an undisclosed amount of cash in various denominations was found, furthering suspicions of his involvement in drug trafficking.
Dos Santos is set to be arraigned in South Boston District Court facing several charges, including "OUI Liquor," "Trafficking Cocaine (18–36 Grams)," and "Disorderly Conduct." The passenger in Dos Santos’ vehicle has also been issued a summons for "Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine)." The events leading up to his arrest paint a concerning picture of substances and sobriety, or the lack thereof, behind the wheel on South Boston's streets.
