Crime & Safety

Belmont Ice Cream Shop Worker Busted for Selling Drugs to Customers, Police Say

After a month and a half of investigating the case, Belmont Police detectives believe they've nabbed a local drug dealer who was selling from an ice cream shop in town.

Belmont Police Captain Patrick Halleran says the man was arrested on suspicion of drug sales at a shop in the 1000 block of Alameda de las Pulgas around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

"Detectives, working on a tip, arranged for two undercover buys from an on-duty store employee, Martin Abinader age 20 of San Carlos," Halleran said.  "Abinader was taken into custody without incident and was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on charges relating to sales of marijuana, possession of cocaine and concentrated cannabis."

According to the captain, Abinader's arrest came after six weeks of investigation, when cops were tipped off to a man selling drugs to customers at a store located just blocks from several local schools.

"We take the safety of our community, and particularly our youth, very seriously" said Belmont Police Chief Dan DeSmidt.  "This type of activity will not be tolerated in our community."

Police believe the man was working alone, though the case is still under investigation.




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