Bean Town Times

Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with a drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The accused are Ernesto Arberty Mendez Herrera, 43, of Roxbury; Ricky Junior Rodriguez Reynoso, 24, of Boston; Cristofel Baez Guerrero, 25, of Dorchester; Luis Castillo, 24, of Dorchester; Yomerli Mendez Arias, 22, of Lawrence; Estarling Perez Almonte, 28, of Roslindale; Raidyn Hernandez Montero, 24, of Dorchester; Ricardo Canela Soto, 20, of Dorchester; and Waldo Lara Arias, 19, of Boston. They face charges for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The defendants appeared in federal court in Boston and Bangor on October 29. According to the charging documents presented by authorities, the group was involved in transporting drugs from Massachusetts locations such as Boston and Lawrence to Waldo County in Maine. The investigation led to the seizure of approximately ten kilograms of fentanyl and several firearms.

If convicted under the charge they face—conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances—the men could receive sentences up to 20 years in prison along with supervised release ranging from three years to life. Additionally, fines could reach $1 million.

The announcement came from Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy alongside Stephen Belleau from the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division. The operation received support from multiple law enforcement agencies including state police departments from New Hampshire and Maine as well as federal entities like the FBI and ATF.

This arrest is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling significant criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various agencies.

It should be noted that these allegations remain accusations until proven otherwise in a court where all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.