three powerful firearms - No, not howitzers.

Huge Somerville drug bust just `the tip of the iceberg'
By Tom Farmer
Tuesday, April 27, 2004

An alleged domestic assault in Somerville on Sunday resulted in one of the largest drug busts in the city's history as police seized $300,000 worth of illegal narcotics as well as three powerful firearms in a troubling sign dealers are entrenched in the city.

``This is just the tip of the iceberg of the problem we see every day,'' Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said. ``The message I have for dealers is: `If you are out there, we will track you down. You will make a mistake, and we will get you.' ''

Officers found 144 grams of cocaine, 128 grams of methamphetamine, 12 ounces of marijuana and numerous doses of OxyContin and Xanax during a search of the Walnut Street apartment occupied by Mark Tocchio, 31, and his girlfriend and child.

Somerville police Chief George McLean said Tocchio broke his girlfriend's nose during a domestic dispute and police returned with a search warrant after seeing drugs and paraphernalia in the apartment.

Investigators found a shotgun and two handguns along with the drugs as well as $19,000 in currency, a scale and drug packaging.

Tocchio, who faces 26 charges ranging from domestic assault and battery to illegal possession of firearms, is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing tomorrow in Somerville District Court.

McLean said drug dealers have been put on notice that Somerville police ``will be coming out stronger than we ever have in the past.''

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=3773

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