Fred Alden, Acting Chief
893 Main Street
Ashby, MA 01431
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net
Two Arraigned Following Ashby Drug Bust
ASHBY– Chief Fred Alden and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan have announced that Paula Prieur, 53, of Peterborough, New Hampshire, and Patricia Heywood, 55, of Peterborough, New Hampshire, were arraigned yesterday in Ayer District Court in connection with a drug arrest that took place on Saturday, June 4 in Ashby.
“Due to this police officer’s training and experience, he was able to recognize suspicious activity and arrest two suspects for trafficking and drug possession,” Chief Alden said. “I commend the officer’s proactive thinking and quick response.”
“The defendants in this case were allegedly trying to profit off the sale of an illicit substance,” said District Attorney Ryan. “At a time when our state is dealing with an increase of fatal overdoses, the importance of taking drugs off our streets is paramount to saving lives.”
Prieur was charged with trafficking over 36 grams of cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of a Class B substance, possession of a Class E substance and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. Judge J. Elizabeth Cremens set bail at $5,000 cash and ordered the defendant to not consume drugs and be subject to random screens. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Friday, July 1.
Heywood was charged with trafficking over 36 grams of cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of a Class B substance and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. Judge J. Elizabeth Cremens set bail at $2,500 cash and ordered the defendant to not consume drugs and be subject to random screens. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Friday, July 1.
On Saturday, June 4, at approximately 7:20 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed a suspicious black Chevrolet Impala with New Hampshire plates parked on the side of Hosmer Road. Upon approaching the motor vehicle, authorities allegedly saw drug paraphernalia in plain sight. A further search of the car and the persons of Heywood and Prieur resulted in police allegedly discovering approximately 85 grams of crack/cocaine. Authorities also allegedly discovered a Bayer Aspirin bottle in Prieur’s purse that contained multiple prescription medications including Klonipin and Percocet.
These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecutor who handled this arraignment was Assistant District Attorney David Kete.
###