BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2016—The target of a State Police narcotics investigation is behind bars today and more than 400 grams of cocaine have been taken off the streets of Boston, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

NICANDER SERNA (D.O.B. 6/1/70), also known as LUIS BORJA, was held on $500,000 cash bail at his arraignment Friday in Brighton Municipal Court on six counts of trafficking in cocaine. Should he post that amount, he must wear a GPS monitoring device.

Assistant District Attorney Margaret Hegarty told the court that State troopers assigned to the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit obtained information that Serna was distributing a large amount of cocaine in the Brighton area.

In the course of four transactions between June 3 and June 19, troopers purchased more than 140 grams of cocaine from Serna, with some of those transactions recorded pursuant to a warrant granted by a Suffolk Superior Court judge.

On July 28, troopers arranged the purchase of 250 grams of cocaine from Serna. Shortly after it was concluded, Serna was taken into custody and troopers executed a search warrant at his basement apartment on Parsons Street in Brighton.

In addition to 25 grams of cocaine inside the residence, troopers seized $8,800 in cash, powdered substance believed to be a cutting agent, a digital scale, two cell phones, and what appeared to be notes related to drug transactions.

The investigation and seizures were assisted by the State Police Gang Unit and other assets, as well as Homeland Security Investigations special agents.

Serna was represented by attorney Jason Chan. He will return to court on Aug. 30.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.