Articles Posted in Drug Offenses

In federal court in Massachusetts, Daniel Ekasala pled not guilty to three counts of possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute. Authorities apprehended the 35-year-old Saugus resident during a sting operation involving New England Patriots offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur.

Kaczur, who was arrested and charged with illegal possession of prescription painkillers in April wore a recording device during three alleged drug transactions that took place in gas stations in Foxborough, North Attleborough, and at a Sharon parking lot. During each of the three deals, the “cooperating witness,” as he was described in a Drug Enforcement Agency affidavit, purchased 100 OxyContin tablets for $3,900.

Ekasala ‘s defense attorney says that that the prosecution will have to reveal what the 28-year-old football player is getting in return for his cooperation. Kaczur was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree after police in New York pulled him over for speeding.

A Boston firefighter was apprehended by police on Friday for allegedly purchasing OxyContin from a drug dealer that had been under police surveillance. Firefighter and Dorchester resident William Boyle has been ordered to appear in District Court for the alleged possession of a Class B substance.

Boston police say that a District-C Drug Control Unit Detective saw Boyle make the alleged deal with drug dealer Stephen Puglielli at the Broadway MBTA station. Boyle allegedly called out to the approaching detective, “I didn’t do anything, I am a Boston fireman.”

Police say that he dropped a cellophane wrapper with 5 OxyContin pills, But Boyle alleges that they planted the evidence. At the Boston police station, officers allege that Boyle told them that he bought the pills for $200.

Boyle has served as firefighter with the Boston Fire Department for over 10 years and is also a Vietnam veteran. He has been on injury leave.

Puglielli, a well-known drug dealer and a Southie resident, has been arrested for allegedly dealing drugs. His arraignment is schedule for today. Puglielli is a repeat drug offender.

Boston firefighter in Oxycontin sting, Boston Herald, April 28, 2008
Disabled firefighter accused in drug buy, Boston.com, April 28, 2008

Related Web Resources:

OxyContin, DEA

The Massachusetts OxyContin and Other Drug Abuse Commission
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Richard “Pops” Picardi Sr, a 76-year-old Revere, Massachusetts resident, has pled not guilty to charges that include unlawful distribution of a Class B substance, selling cigarettes without state tax stamps, receiving stolen property, and violating drug laws in a school zone.

A person can be charged with violating drug laws in a school zone if the drug-related crime he or she is accused of committing took place within 100 feet of a playground or park or within 1000 feet of a school or school property. Because so many cities in Massachusetts are well populated, it is very hard for someone not to be within a school zone.

Picardi is accused of dealing prescription drugs from the office of the Square Cab Co. in Chelsea in exchange for cigarettes and money. The company is located within 1,000 feet of Clark Avenue School. His arraignment took place in Chelsea District Court, and he was ordered held on $10,000 bail.

Undercover cops bought OxyContin and other narcotics from Picardi several times in March. One buy involved three OxyContin tablets in exchange for eight packs of cigarettes and $40. He also is accused of selling cigarettes illegally.

Picardi had more than $11,000 on him last week when he was arrested. Law enforcement officers also found almost two full cartons of cigarettes, 74 Roxicet pills, 21 razor packs, and 5 unopened cologne bottles that may have been stolen.

One-legged 76-year-old busted in drug sting, The Boston Herald, April 15, 2008
Man, 76, held in drug case linked to Chelsea cab firm, Boston Globe, April 15, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Drug Fact Sheet, Friends of Narconon

The Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts
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In Massachusetts, a former US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit records clerk was arrested for allegedly selling OxyContin.

Christopher Cook allegedly sold 200 OxyContin pills to someone working undercover with the FBI. Cook, 28, was to be given $7,600 for the pills.

The undercover witness agreed to work with FBI agents, who tape-recorded the sale, after being charged with drug trafficking outside the state. He had informed agents that he and Cook had been selling drugs for over a year.

Cook reportedly tried to flee before he was arrested at an undisclosed location. He faces one federal charge of selling OxyContin. The Pembroke native reportedly has a history of arrests for violence.

Prosecutors suggested that he be detained until a detention hearing that is scheduled fornext week because he is believed to be a flight risk.

Cook faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted for federal drug trafficking.

OxyContin is a prescription painkiller. Street names for OxyContin include Kicker, OC, Oxy, OX, Blue, Oxycotton, Hillybilly Heroin.

The WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov Web site says that prescription drugs are often illegally obtained via:

• Doctor shopping or other prescription fraud.
• Illegal online pharmacies.
• Theft and burglary.
• Receiving/purchasing from friends or family.
• Overprescribing.

If you have been arrested for a drug crime in the Boston area or anywhere else in Massachusetts, it is important that you hire a Boston, Massachusetts drug crimes law firm that is familiar with the different avenues of defense that are available to you. We have defended clients prosecuted at the state and federal levels.

Former court worker held in OxyContin sale, Boston.com, March 14, 2008
Prescription Drugs, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Related Web Resource:

OxyContine, DEA
Federal Trafficking Penalties, DEA Continue reading

Singer Bobby Brown, a Boston, Massachusetts native, will serve on year’s community service for cocaine possession in exchange for not being charged with possession of the drug.

Massachusetts police, responding to a call to break up a fight at a Brockton Holiday Inn last December, found Brown sitting in a car with a substance that they believe was cocaine.

No criminal charges were filed. This week, Brockton District Court Clerk Magistrate Kevin Creedon says there was no probable cause for a criminal complaint. He has ordered Brown, the ex-husband of singer Whitney Houston, to mentor young adults and children. The arrest will be erased form his criminal records if he avoids any arrests in the next year.

In Massachusetts, under Trial Court Rule XI: Uniform Rule for Probable Cause Determinations for Persons Arrested Without a Warrant:

A person who has been arrested for an offense for which no warrant has issued, if not released on bail or recognizance, shall be entitled prior to any extended pretrial detention to a determination by a judicial officer of whether there is probable cause to believe that such person has committed such offense, except where such person’s detention is otherwise authorized by a warrant or other judicial process.

Criminal penalties for cocaine possession conviction in Massachusetts include up to one year behind bars for a first offense and two years for a second offense.

Bobby Brown agrees to community service, Boston.com, February 26, 2008
Probable Cause Determinations, Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries

Related Web Resource:

Massachusetts Sentencing Guidelines
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New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews says he is not guilty of possession of marjjuana with intent to distribute. The 24-year-old football player responded to the charges during his arraignment today in Lowell District Court in Massachusetts.

Andrews was arrested this morning on Middlesex Street in Lowell near the University of Massachusetts. He did not appear inside the courtroom during his arraignment-although he was at the courthouse-and the facts of the case were not read aloud in court. A Lowell police report related to the case, however, describes how the football player was pulled over by police, who noticed a “strong, pungent” smell.

The report says that Andrews confirmed that he had hidden marijuana in his groin area. Another two to three ounces of pot were found beneath his seat. About half a pound of marijuana, worth approximately $500, was reportedly found with the Patriots player. He was given a bail warning and released on his own recognizance.

The football player must inform a probation officer if he decides to travel outside Massachusetts. A violation of his probation could result in up to two months in jail. The football player is also charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

This incident is not Andrew’s first brush with the law. He was convicted of criminal mischief a few years ago. He was on probation when police found a gun in his possession during a traffic stop. He served 10 days of a 30-day jail sentence.

In Massachusetts, a marijuana possession offense is a misdemeanor. A conviction could lead to six months in jail and a $500 fine. If it is a first offense, the punishment for conviction could be probation.

The sale or cultivation of pot is considered a felony. Depending on the amount of marijuana and the circumstances involving in the arrest, a conviction could lead to 2 to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 to $10,000 fine.

Patriots player busted for pot, BostonHerald.com, February 5, 2008
Patriots defensive back charged with marijuana possession in Lowell, Boston.com, February 5, 2008
Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts State Penalties

Willie Andrews, Patriots.com Continue reading