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Son Of Legal Sea Foods CEO Arrested In Drug Bust

SOUTH BOSTON (CBS) – The son of Legal Sea Foods' President and CEO Roger Berkowitz has been charged with drug possession and trafficking.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

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Thirty-two-year-old Matthew Berkowitz was arrested by Boston Police Tuesday.

Prosecutors say he received a package from overseas that contained nearly 2,000 grams of opium poppies and that it was his intention to make heroin and sell it.

He pleaded not guilty in South Boston District Court Wednesday and was released on $7,500 bail.

His father was in court for the arraignment.

Matthew Berkowitz's attorney told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 that his client was drinking the drug in his tea.

"It's just a sad case here of personal use and addiction. It's something that the family didn't know about, but they're behind him, they support him," attorney Tom Hoopes said.

"We call it a Class B substance. It's no different than a lot of the pills that people are addicted to. Pain killer pills that you see on the street."

"It's just a little easier because you're having it in tea, rather than having it some other place."

Hoopes said Berkowitz needs treatment and that there's a bed at McLean Hospital waiting for him.

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