For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Ayer Police Charge Man, 57, After SWAT Team Raids Home Early Thursday Morning
Drugs, Guns, Cash Seized After Investigation by Several Communities
AYER — The Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team, along with detectives from the Ayer, Acton, Groton, Boxborough, and Littleton Police Departments early this morning served a search warrant on a home at 93 Snake Hill Road in Ayer. The warrant came after a lengthy, joint investigation by the five communities into allegations of drug dealing on the premises.
As a result of today’s operation, ROBERT DUMAS, age 57, of Ayer, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of class B drugs, two counts of possession of class B with intent to distribute, possession of class D drugs with intent to distribute, improper storage of a firearm, possession of an illegal stun gun, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of unlawful fireworks, and distribution of class D drugs.
“I am extremely grateful for the level of cooperation exercised by police detectives in several communities to bring this dangerous suspect to justice today,” said Ayer Police Chief William A. Murray, who was present for today’s police operation. “A drug dealer is off the streets, and our communities are safer for it.”
Investigators determined that DUMAS was known to possess firearms and that he could pose a significant danger to police. Therefore, the decision was made to activate the CEMLEC SWAT Team, a regional team comprised of specially-trained police officers from around Central Massachusetts, to serve the search warrant.
When police entered the home this morning, they found a quantity of marijuana and Percocet, as well as seven firearms, and a significant amount of cash. They found three additional men, a juvenile, and an adult woman inside. There were also two pit bulls that were later secured by the other residents of the home.
One of the men, identified as ZECHARIAH GUAY, 23, of Shirley was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant out of Framingham District Court, and he was taken into custody.
Police had been investigating allegations of drug dealing out of the DUMAS household since late last year. The investigation included surveillance of vehicles coming and going, as well as controlled drug buys made by undercover police officers.
“With the positive conclusion to this investigation, a drug dealer has been taken off the streets,” said Boxborough Police Chief Warren B. Ryder, who was also present today. “This would not have been possible without the amazing level of cooperation that has been built up among municipal police departments in Massachusetts. This show of teamwork has given police an unprecedented ability to damage the drug trade and other illegal acts in our communities.”
A State Police K-9 was also brought in to assist in the search for drugs and contraband in the house.
“Resources like the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council enable police departments to pool their resources, giving us the same abilities of much larger police agencies. Today, we saw police from more than a dozen communities, including detectives and SWAT officers, lend their skills to Ayer, and it helped close an important drug case for our region,” said Littleton Police Chief Matthew J. King. “I’m proud of the work we have done today.”
“This was a long-term case that required hours of investigation, hands-on drug buys, and careful execution,” said Groton Police Chief Donald Palma Jr. “I am proud of each of the officers involved who helped bring a drug dealer to justice.”
The police chiefs would also like to thank Webster Police Department Lieutenant Michael Shaw, the CEMLEC SWAT Team Leader, who skillfully led the team on-scene today. There were no injuries during today’s operation.
About the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council
The Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) is a non-profit coalition, consisting of more than 60 municipal law enforcement agencies and the Worcester County Sheriff, assisting each other through a mutual aid agreement. CEMLEC covers a land area of over 1,600 square miles and serves a population in excess of 750,000 citizens across four counties in Massachusetts.
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