Nine Massachusetts men arrested in connection with drug trafficking in Maine

BOSTON (WWLP) – Nine suspects were in court Tuesday for allegedly smuggling drugs from Massachusetts to Maine.

According to the Department of Justice, the defendants were part of a drug trafficking operation that regularly moved fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from areas in Boston, Lawrence and Malden, Massachusetts to locations in Waldo County, Maine.

Five arrested for alleged drug deals near Springfield shelter on Worthington Street

The following men were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine:

Ernesto Arberty Mendez Herrera, 43, of Roxbury
Ricky Junior Rodriguez Reynoso (24) from Boston
Cristofel Baez Guerrero (25) from Dorchester
Luis Castillo (24) from Dorchester
Yomerli Mendez Arias (22) of Lawrence
Estarling Perez Almonte, 28, of Roslindale
Raidyn Hernandez Montero, 24, of Dorchester
Ricardo Canela Soto (20) from Dorchester
Waldo Lara Arias (19) from Boston

Approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl and several firearms were seized during the investigation. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and a maximum of life on supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Local news headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated and local programming to Western Massachusetts. View the 22News digital edition weekdays at 4pm on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit WWLP.