A Peabody man alleged to be a prescription drug kingpin was arrested on the steps of the Boston Municipal Court today as he reported to a court date on an earlier conspiracy case, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MARINO SPIRAKIS (D.O.B. 7/7/74), who is employed as a cook at a pizza shop, had a box containing $52,000 in cash when he was arrested June 23 amid an ongoing investigation into prescription painkiller trafficking in the Boston area. He later posted $15,000 cash bail – less than half the amount requested by Suffolk prosecutors – when arraigned the next day on charges of conspiracy to traffic in a Class B substance.

This morning, as he approached the Boston Municipal Court for a scheduled hearing on that case, Spirakis was taken into custody by State Police and federal agents who had learned that he was directing the delivery and sale of 5,000 30mg Percocet tablets seized yesterday at the Copley MBTA station.

The street value of the pills, if sold individually, could be as high as $150,000.

“The evidence suggests an organized, sophisticated drug enterprise with a kingpin at its top,” Conley said.

In the course of the ongoing investigation, prosecutors say, investigators obtained statements from cooperating witnesses alleging that Spirakis oversaw the shipment of those and other pills into Massachusetts. A cooperating witness brought the seized pills to an East Boston hotel.

Spirakis allegedly directed another man, ADAM HAYNES (D.O.B. 10/17/79) of Groveland, to pick up the pills yesterday. Haynes arrived at the hotel shortly after 8:30 last night, took the pills from the cooperating witness, and was arrested as he left the hotel room. In post-Miranda statements, Haynes allegedly told investigators that he was instructed to bring Spirakis the pills after Spirakis attended today’s court date.

“We had other plans for Mr. Spirakis,” Conley said.

Speaking at Spirakis’ arraignment this afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Brian Fahy of Conley’s Narcotics Unit recommended that Spirakis’ open bail be revoked and that his bail on the new case be set at $500,000. Judge Edward Redd set bail at $250,000 and granted the revocation order.

Fahy noted that Spirakis is on federal probation following a 2003 extortion conviction.

Meanwhile, in East Boston District Court, Supervisory Assistant District Attorney Jennifer OKeefe recommended $100,000 surety for Haynes with the request that he be ordered to report to probation officers every other day. Judge Roberto Ronquillo, Jr., set bail at $1,000 and granted the order to report.

Spirakis was represented by attorney Gary Zerola and will return to court on Nov. 22. Haynes was represented by attorney Anthony Rossi and will return to court on Oct. 27.