Police: Malden Man Sold Pot via Craigslist

A Malden man was arrested and charged with class D drug distribution in Charlestown last month, after police followed up on a Boston Craigslist ad blatantly offering "purple" marijuana for sale on the popular listings site. 

Police arrested Andrew Maxwell of 22 Clayton St. after arranging a phony drug deal behind the on Austin Street.

According to a police report, an officer exchanged several emails with Maxwell before agreeing to buy a “slice” - or one-eighth of an ounce - behind the 99 on March 26. The officer then exchanged a number of text messages with Maxwell before meeting him in the parking lot.

Once in the vehicle, the officer allegedly handed over $60 of cash and received a bag of what he believed to be marijuana. 

The officer then left the vehicle and told his colleagues he had made the buy. Maxwell drove out of the parking lot before an officer stopped him on Rutherford Avenue.

After being arrested, Maxwell allegedly told officers “I have weed in the car.” 

Officers said they recovered a large plastic bag of marijuana, in addition to a digital scale from the vehicle’s center console.

Officers also said they recovered a small zipper bag containing marijuana from Maxwell’s jeans pocket.