3 charged with running meth lab in Mass. hotel, including 2 from Manchester

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Items confiscated following Sunday's methamphetamine lab bust.
Items confiscated following Sunday’s methamphetamine lab bust.

BURLINGTON, MASS. – Police in Burlington, Mass., busted an alleged methamphetamine lab Oct. 25 operating inside a hotel. Among those arrested were two men from Manchester, NH.

As a result of the investigation and diligent work by Burlington Police Detectives:

  • ERIC M. SOWMICK, AGE 24, OF MANCHESTER, N.H. was arrested and charged with Possession of a Class B Substance (Methamphetamine)
  • DUSTIN ROBERT BELIVEAU, AGE 32, OF BURLINGTON was arrested and charged with Possession of a Class B Substance (Methamphetamine)
  • TONY S. PICKARD, AGE 52, OF MANCHESTER, N.H. was arrested and charged with Possession of a Class B Substance (Methamphetamine) and two counts of Disconnecting a Sprinkler System

“This case came as the result of the high level of cooperation that exists among the Burlington Police Department, hotel management, and hotel employees all over town,” Chief Kent said. “We proceeded deliberately, with caution, to make sure that no one was hurt during our investigation of this potentially dangerous situation, and I am very pleased with the results.”

On Oct. 23, 2015, Burlington Police, acting on a tip from hotel employees, executed a search warrant on a room at the Sonesta ES Suites hotel on Old Concord Road. They were assisted by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration New England Clandestine Lab Team, as the hotel employees told police they believed that a guest was manufacturing Methamphetamine in their room and acting strangely. The employees also noticed several other people coming and going from the room during the day.

An employee told police that one of the suspects, later identified as Beliveau, was also wearing an ankle bracelet on his leg. The employee also observed Beliveau walking into the hotel carrying a container of Acetone or paint thinner and that there was a foul odor coming from the room. Another employee saw Beliveau wearing a gas mask.

Beliveau is a career drug offender with five currently open cases for trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of heroin, carrying a dangerous weapon, and other offenses, police said.

Because of the inherent danger associated with possible methamphetamine labs, the Burlington Fire Department and Chief Steve Yetman were asked to respond to the location and to stand by as a safety precaution. The hotel’s other guestrooms were evacuated as well.

After conducting surveillance and investigating the situation, police received a search warrant and executed the warrant on the room.

A large quantity of Methamphetamine was found inside, and plastic bags were found covering the smoke detectors in the room.

The suspects were arrested and held at the Burlington Police Department pending their arraignment Monday in Woburn District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. 


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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!

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