Alleged Newton drug dealer held on $300,000 cash bail

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

An 34-year-old Newton man, whom Boston police arrested Friday after he allegedly tried to sell two kilograms of raw heroin to an undercover officer, was ordered held on $300,000 cash bail today.

With a blue jacket draped over his head, Amando Avila pleaded not guilty in Roxbury Municipal Court to numerous drug charges before Judge Edward Redd, who said he was concerned that the Mexico native might be a flight risk when he imposed the $300,000 cash bail.

Avila's court-appointed attorney, Rebecca J. Kratka of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, said Avila has been living in the United States since 2000 and operates a painting company with a brother. Kratka said Avila could not afford a high bail or an attorney on his own.

Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Migdalia Nalls, citing the investigation by Boston police and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, urged Redd to set an even higher bail, $750,000.

In a report filed in court, Boston police said ICE investigators alerted them that a Mexican man was looking to sell heroin. An undercover Boston police officer allegedly contacted Avila on a cellphone and Avila agreed to meet him at a supermarket parking lot in the Fenway section of the city.

Avila showed up on foot, telling the undercover officer that his wife had dropped him off from their Newton home. The wife, however, has not been charged and police said in the report they saw Avila with two men, not any women.

In the report, police said Avila agreed to return to Newton, pick up the drug and meet the undercover officer in the Fenway neighborhood. Avila, who also said he did not have a license, returned around 8 p.m.

Avila allegedly showed the officer 2 kilograms of heroin. The officer told Avila he was going to get the money but instead police officers arrived and took Avila into custody.

Avila faces a minimum of 15 years imprisonment, prosecutors said. He is due back in court July 28.