EV RETEVT V E ER T Vol. 35, No.27 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday Community weighs in on planned Connolly Center renovation 617-387-2200 Friday, July 10, 2026 Monthlong Everett drug operation leads to dozens of arrests, major narcotics seizures Advocate Staff Report E verett Police’s Special Criminal Investigations Unit (SCIU) conducted a monthlong narcotics enforcement initiative in June 2026 dubbed “Operation Street Sweeper,” targeting suspected drug dealers, fugitives, repeat problem locations and quality-of-life concerns throughout the city. On June 1, detectives conPictured are Architect Mark McKevitz, Sustainability Manager Kate Jenkins, Connolly Center Facilities Manager Angelo Febbo and Owner’s Project Manager Stephen Michener. (Advocate photo) By Neil Zolot T he Edward G. Connolly Center was built in 1902 and served as an armory before it was turned over to the City of Everett by the National Guard in the 1970s. It is the home of the Council on Aging (COA) and its programs, the Veterans Center and the Adult Learning Center. It is also used for many social and political RENOVATION | SEE PAGE 8 F. J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-9700 phone 617-387-9702 fax INSURANCE FOR AUTO, HOME, AND BUSINESS We offer very competitive rates, and by representing many different companies we can shop for the best price for our customers. Call us today! Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-2700 phone 617-387-7753 fax ducting surveillance near Elm Street observed what they believed to be a drug transaction outside a neighborhood market. Police arrested Michael Tillinghast on charges of distribution of a Class B substance, possession of a Class C substance with intent to distribute and possession of a Class B substance. Police also arrested Christopher Abruzzese, charging him with possession of a Class B substance and possession of a Class E substance. On June 2, detectives conducted an undercover operation targeting street-level cocaine sales throughout Everett. During the investigation, an undercover offi cer allegedly purchased crack cocaine from Jamie Surillo, 39, of Malden. Surillo was charged with distribution of a Class B substance and a failure-to-appear warrant. Police said he was also taken into custody as a fugitive from justice for charges pending outside Massachusetts. During the same investigation, detectives stopped a vehicle they said met with Surillo before the alleged drug sale. Erica Mullen, 30, of East Boston, was arrested following the stop. On June 3, detectives arrested Kevin Joseph Callahan, 59, on an outstanding warrant. Police also arrested Luiz Gustavo Defatima, 35, on an outstanding warrant. Detectives said they recovered four bags of fentanyl from Defatima and also seized bank cards and other property believed to belong to someone else. He was additionally charged with possession of a Class A substance. Also on June 3, Robert Bailot, 38, of Everett, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. On June 4, detectives arrested Erica Marie Messina, 41, on two outstanding warrants. On June 5, police arrested Jennifer Festa of Medford. Festa was arrested on two outstanding warrants and additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine. Detectives also reported seizing suspected stolen property, including bank cards. Later that day, detectives arrested Brittany Hersey, 36, on an outstanding warrant. A separate regional narcotics investigation culminated on June 8 when members of the Boston Police Drug Control Units in East Boston and downtown Boston, working with Everett Police, Revere Police and the Massachusetts State Police, arrested John Gil-Zapata, 39, of Revere. Authorities executed four search warrants tarARRESTS | SEE PAGE 4
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