EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
New Hampshire
Drug suspect makes another bid for freedom
Published: July 4, 2009
CONCORD — A Methuen man being held for his alleged connection to a drug mule ring turned deadly is appealing a decision to deny him bail for the second time.
Escolastico Suero's latest plea for bail was filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.
Suero, 46, is making his third request for bail since his arrest in December. He is one of five people arrested by Salem police on charges of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Prosecutors alleged the group's effort led to the fatal cocaine intoxication of Mally Rodriguez, who ingested dozens of bags of the drug to smuggle it into the country. Rodriguez died inside a Salem motel room where the group allegedly planned to have three women pass drugs they ingested.
Suero, a Lawrence cab driver, is accused of providing the women and others in the group with transportation from Logan International Airport to the Salem motel. Suero also allegedly stopped off at a North Andover drugstore to buy laxatives, police said.
Defense lawyer Patrick Shanley wrote in his appeal for bail that the prosecution's main witness, Nelly Cruz Rodriguez, the sister of the woman who died, indicated she did not think Suero was involved.
Shanley wrote Suero had left the motel before Rodriguez began suffering cocaine intoxication.
U.S. Magistrate James Muirhead wrote in his decisions denying bail that he believes Suero poses a flight risk and faces an overwhelming amount of evidence.
The decision on bail will now be considered by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph LaPlante.
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