WORCESTER -- A former Ayer man admitted during his trial in Worcester Superior Court that he drove to Fitchburg with a female friend to buy heroin, before she later died at the hospital. Frank A. Yerardi, 52, testified in his own defense Friday. He told the jury that on May 16, 2001, he and the deceased, Barbara Galaxee, drove from Ayer to Fitchburg so he could buy some heroin because he was "sick for it." He said they both used the heroin, which he bought with Galaxee's money. [continues 533 words]
Westminster resident Connie Malcomb woke up on March 3 to see an unfamiliar car sitting in her driveway. Five more police cars and K-9 dogs arrived an hour later, and officers began searching the house next door. "You don't expect that of this town," said Malcomb, who has lived in Westminster for 25 years. "I don't care if it's right next to Fitchburg." Officers from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized approximately 531 pounds of marijuana, and two loaded handguns after arresting five men living at 82 Ashburnham State Road in Westminster, believed to be part of an international drug trafficking ring. [continues 1627 words]
