Police: Drug-trafficking suspect mutilated fingers to conceal prints

Viliar was arrested Friday night after State Police pulled him over for speeding in Brockton. When he gave them a driver's license that appeared to be fake, he was arrested for giving police a false name and using fraudulent documents. He was also arrested for carrying a dangerous weapon after the troopers found a large folding knife hidden in the car.

Viliar was held on $25,000 bail on the drug charges and $500 on the forgery and weapon charges after he pleaded not guilty in both cases today at Brockton District Court. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 2. His attorney, Lawrence Perlmutter, declined comment.

At the Brockton police station after his arrest, officers saw that the pads of Viliar's fingers were covered in scar tissue. They took fingerprints anyway and sent them to the FBI. Federal officials were able to put together some of the ridges taken from the prints and figure out Viliar's true identity, Procopio said.

Police are investigating who cut Viliar's fingers, Procopio said. Viliar was scheduled to appear in Brockton District Court today to face the charges made against him on Friday.

Procopio said wanted criminals have tried to destroy their prints before. In some cases, they have used acid to burn off the ridges.

FBI and state police have still managed to identify most suspects using fingerprint analysis, Procopio said.

"Fortunately, our efforts to identify them are keeping pace with their effort to mutilate themselves," he said.