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Lawyer: ‘Don’t punish client for buying drug dealer’s car’

The lawyer said in court that his client had no idea heroin was stashed in a hidden compartment of the car he bought over the weekend

Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A lawyer for a Massachusetts man found with 95 packets of heroin in his car says his client shouldn’t be punished for unknowingly buying a vehicle from a drug dealer.

The Republican newspaper reports that a lawyer for Sean Deglis said in court Monday that his client had no idea heroin was stashed in a hidden compartment of the car he bought over the weekend.

Attorney Tony LaCasse says it was unfair to expect Deglis to “hire a drug-sniffing dog to inspect a car before purchasing it.”

Prosecutors say narcotics detectives, acting on a tip from a confidential informant, arrested the 29-year-old Southwick man Saturday night.

Deglis pleaded not guilty and was held on $10,000 bail.

Prosecutors say Deglis has a long criminal record, including drug possession convictions.

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