Alleged Marijuana Dealer Arrested Near School, Playground

An Arlington resident was arrested Friday during what police believed to be a drug deal near .

Steven K. Cooper, 18, of Arlington, was taken into custody on accusations of possession with intent to distribute marijuana within a school zone. He was arrested down the street from and the .

According to the police report, an officer was patrolling the Minuteman Bikeway about 7 p.m. near the Grove Street bridge, when he observed three males loitering on the bridge. When he approached the three men, the officer smelled fresh marijuana, according to the report.

Police said Cooper dropped a glassine bag with a small amount of marijuana. A further search revealed several new, unused bags from the man’s sweatshirt pocket, according to the report.

The officer noted in his report that it appeared he had interrupted a drug transaction in progress.

According to the report, Cooper told police he had more marijuana in him. The suspect produced a red aluminum water bottle containing a freezer bag with what police deemed a “large amount of fresh marijuana.” The specific weight of the drugs was not available on the police report.

The other two men were searched and no drugs were found on them, according to the report. They were advised to leave the area.

Cooper was arrested for drug violation near a school and possession of a class D drug.