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Kaczur arrested for painkillers, then helps with drug sting

According to a story in today's Boston Globe, Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur was arrested in April on a charge of illegal possession of prescription painkillers, and a month later wore a hidden recording device to help the federal Drug Enforcement Agency arrest his alleged dealer.

During the sting, Kaczur reportedly paid $3,900 to buy 100 OxyContin pills from the alleged dealer, Daniel Ekasala, at gas stations in North Attleboro and Foxboro and a supermarket parking lot in Sharon, Mass. OxyContin, the brand name of high-powered pain killer oxycodone, has seen its abuse on the rise in recent years; most pharmacies no longer keep the drug on premises because of robberies.

Kaczur, who started 15 games at right tackle for the Patriots last season, apparently began buying the OxyContin last November; according to Ekasala's attorney, Bernard Grossberg, Kaczur told DEA officials he bought 100 pills at a time, every few days.

Though Kaczur denied working with the DEA or knowing Ekasala when approached by a Globe reporter, Grossberg acknowledged that Kaczur was the cooperating witness in the case. If the case goes to trial, Kaczur would be required to testify.

Kaczur was originally arrested on April 27 by New York State police when he was pulled over for speeding on the New York Thruway. A small amount of OxyContin was found in his car and he was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments 2