News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2003

Six Arrested On Ecstasy Charges

Worcester, MA….Six individuals were arrested late yesterday on federal complaints charging them with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute Ecstasy and other drugs. Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New England Field Division, while addressing the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) concerning the perils of predatory drugs, announced that Eddy A. AOUDE, age 23, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Daniel POWERS, age 19, of Worcester, Massachusetts; Edmond G. ABOODY, age 19, of Worcester, Massachusetts; Melissa PARADISE, age 24 of Sutton, Massachusetts; Evan FOLEY, age 28, of Worcester, Massachusetts and Geoffrey DAOU, age 18, of Worcester Massachusetts, were charged in criminal complaints with conspiring to possess, with intent to distribute, Ecstasy.

According to affidavits filed in support of the complaints it is alleged that an undercover agent purchased form the defendants a total of 1903 ecstasy pills, 2 vials of Ketamine, 40 Oxycodone tablets, and 30 Oxycontin tablets, over the course of seven meetings in January, February and April of 2003. It is also alleged that POWERS and ABOODY sold the undercover agent a sawed-off shotgun, a rifle, and a shotgun.

The defendants were all arrested on Thursday, May 8, in the parking lot of the Piccadilly Pub on Shrewsbury Street where the undercover had arranged with POWERS to take delivery of 5,000 Ecstasy tablets in exchange for 3 firearms and $33,000. According to an affidavit, the arrests were made when POWERS produced a bag to the undercover containing an indeterminate number of tablets. Agents recovered handguns from the waistbands of both ABOODY and DAOU. PARADISE and FOLEY were sitting in a car at the time and between them was found two bags containing an indeterminate number of tablets. Agents estimate that they recovered approximately 5,000 tablets in all.

"The DEA is committed to relentlessly pursuing those who traffic in predatory drugs," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Trouville. "Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and arrest those responsible for brining predatory drugs and illegal weapons into our communities."

If convicted, AOUDE, ABOODY, POWERS and PARADISE each face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release and a $2 million fine. DAOU and FOLEY face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. In addition, some defendants face charges of possession and use of firearms.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Tactical Diversion Group, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Massachusetts State Police and Worcester Police Department.