Worcester officers face charges of trafficking
Two Worcester police officers have been indicted along with two other men on federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly plotting to sell GHB, an illegal muscle enhancer best known as the date rape drug.
A six-count indictment unsealed yesterday in US District Court in Boston alleges that the officers, Brian W. Benedict, 33, of Auburn, and Heriberto Arroyo, 36, of Worcester, operated a drug ring with Thomas J. Vigliatura, 36, who owns a Worcester health supplement store.
The three men, who were led into court in handcuffs for a bail hearing, are also charged with conspiring to buy cocaine and ecstasy.
The fourth man charged in the case, Matthew A. McLaughlin, 33, of Kittery Point, Maine, was being sought by federal agents.
Benedict, a nine-year veteran of the force, was described by his lawyer, John C. Fisher of Worcester, as a ''good kid" from a police family who had struggled with a substance-abuse problem.
''I'm not sure how it developed, it's just a tragedy," Fisher said. ''I think he had a personal problem and one thing led to another . . . it's a very unfortunate situation."
Arroyo, who has been an officer for 11 years, was stunned by his arrest and vehemently denies any involvement with drugs, according to his lawyer, Stephen Hrones of Boston. ''He has a spotless record with the department," said Hrones, adding that the indictment has threatened to derail Arroyo's career as an officer.
Hrones described Vigliatura as ''Mr. Big" in the case and said Arroyo ''has absolutely nothing to do with this and in a strong way asserts his innocence."
US Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein released Benedict and Arroyo each on a $10,000 unsecured bond. She ordered Vigliatura to remain jailed without bail until a hearing Tuesday in US District Court in Worcester.
Assistant US Attorney George Vien said the government believes Vigliatura should remain jailed until the case is resolved because he's allegedly dangerous and might flee if released. Vigliatura told the court he has a lawyer who was unable to make it to court yesterday.
The indictment alleges the four men operated a ring that sold GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyrate, and its chemical cousin, GBL, or gamma butyrolactone, between the summer of 2000 and the summer of 2004 in Worcester and other parts of Massachusetts.
GHB, a liquid chemical, had been sold in health food stores and promoted in the bodybuilding industry as a drug that enhanced muscles and promoted sex drive. But it was banned by the FDA in 1990 because it caused serious side effects in high doses, including unconsciousness, respiratory distress, and coma, and was being abused because it also produces euphoria, intoxication, and hallucinations.
It was dubbed ''the date rape drug" because of numerous cases in which predators slipped it into unsuspecting victims' drinks and raped them while they were unconscious.
GBL is a liquid chemical used in industrial cleaners, but when ingested it breaks down into GHB.
The indictment unsealed yesterday also seeks the forfeiture of Vigliatura's store, T. Vigs Sports Supplements on West Boylston Street, and his Santoro Road home, both in Worcester; as well as $50,000 in profits allegedly earned from selling the drugs.
Both officers have been placed on administrative leave without pay as a result of the indictment, according to the department.
Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme issued a statement after the officers were arrested Wednesday saying that the department had cooperated with the investigation by the US Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the indictment. ''These are serious allegations against two members of our department," wrote Gemme.
However, he stressed that he has faith in the integrity of the remaining 464 members of the department who ''continue to work hard to develop positive relationships within the community and to foster the trust of its citizens."
