By George P. Hassett

Drug unit detectives conducting routine surveillance around Pearl Street and McGrath Highway last week witnessed a drug deal in progress and arrested a Burlington man with heroin, police said.

On Dec. 15, Stephen Carey, 44, was arrested on Gilman St. and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a class A drug.

Police allegedly saw Carey waiting in a car at Jasper and Pearl streets as another man paced back and forth in front of a Pearl Street home. The man walked towards Carey’s car until he saw the police surveillance and turned around, police said. Carey then put his car in gear and tried to flee the area, police said.

Police said Carey and the man’s behavior indicated that detectives had interrupted drug activity in progress.
When police stopped Carey, they allegedly saw a needle hanging from a storage area and a small clear bag of heroin. He was arrested and charged with possession of a class A drug and operating a motor vehicle without a license.