The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has arrested five people for their roles in distributing Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl throughout Somerset County. Over a pound of crack was seized along with Fentanyl and a gun.

MDEA
MDEA
loading...

Responding to community complaints, for the past two months agents from the MDEA South Central District Task Force, along with investigators from the Somerset and Kennebec County Sheriff’s Offices, the Fairfield and Gardiner Police Departments and State Police conducted an investigation into the distribution of Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl in the county.

The investigation revealed a group from Rochester, New York were traveling to Maine regularly with large amounts of drugs that were sold to local users.

Information was developed Tuesday by Gardiner Police that the group was suspected of storing a large amount of drugs at 376 Center Road in Fairfield. Agents and investigators established surveillance of the Center Road residence as a search warrant was being secured. During the surveillance Goldsmith, Granville and the teenager were observed leaving the Fairfield residence and were subsequently stopped in Augusta. Charette and Martinez Betances were also stopped in Charrettes’ vehicle as they left the Fairfield residence.

During the search at 376 Center Road, agents seized approximately 516 grams (18.4 ounces) of Crack Cocaine and 59 grams (2.1 ounces) of Fentanyl. A loaded handgun was also seized. The approximate street value of the drugs is $72,000.

Arrested were:

Markwan Granville (19) of Rochester, New York for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000

Jamie Martinez Betances (29) of Rochester, New York for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000

Juvenile Male (17) of Rochester, New York for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000

Rhonda Goldsmith (43) of Vassalboro, Maine for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $25,000

Jeffrey Charette (47) of Winslow, Maine for Unlawful Furnishing of Schedule W Drugs, Class D. Bail was set at $2,500

All five were arrested and transported to the Somerset County Jail where bail was set. The aggravating factor in their charges is the presence of a firearm and weight of the drugs.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected. Agents are also investigating what connection the home owners; who were not present at the time and the numerous people who stay at the residence have to the investigation.

More From