PELHAM — Eight people charged in a drug sweep dubbed Oxy-Clean waived probable cause hearings or had their cases continued yesterday in Salem District Court.
The eight defendants, including seven from Pelham, remain free on personal recognizance bail and face possible indictment by a Hillsborough County Superior Court grand jury, said Dennis Mannion, Pelham's police prosecutor.
Police have said they targeted the use of the powerful prescription drug in response to a rise in burglaries, robberies and thefts in town.
Pelham residents charged with the sale of OxyContin during Operation Oxy-Clean were William Joyce, 19; Daniel Sweeney, 20; and Bion Hilbert, 25. Pelham residents charged with possession of the drug were Michael Strules, 19, and Elizabeth Duffy, 19. Duffy was also charged with theft.
Gage Beauchesne, 18, of Pelham was charged with possession of OxyContin in a motor vehicle and aiding criminal activity.
Ashley Drolet, 19, of Pelham was charged with possession of marijuana.
Kara Gagne, 19, of Nashua was charged with possession of narcotics in a motor vehicle.
The OxyContin seized in the arrests were 80 mg tablets selling for $70 apiece on the street, Pelham police Sgt. Anne Perriello has said.
