Enormous Seizure of Fentanyl Prompts 9 Arrests in Maine, Massachusetts

9 people face charges in two states for a drug operation police say trafficked enough Fentanyl to kill 5 million people.

All the Suspects are From Massachusetts and the Drugs Were Trafficked in Maine

All of the suspects in this two-state investigation are from Massachusetts:

• 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 Aria, 22, of Lawrence
• Estarling Perez Almonte, 28, of Roslindale
• Raidyn Hernandez Montero, 24, of Dorchester
• Ricardo Canela Soto, 20, of Dorchester
• Waldo Lara Arias, 19, of Boston

The suspects are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. They made their initial court appearances in Federal Court in Boston and Bangor, Maine on October 29, 2024.

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An Investigation Determined the Drugs Were Being Transported to Waldo County

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, the suspects were allegedly part of a drug trafficking operation that regularly transported fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from areas in Boston, Lawrence, and Malden, Massachusetts to Waldo County, Maine. Prosecutors allege that the group brought the drugs to Maine to be sold and then returned to Massachusetts with the proceeds. During the investigation, drug agents seized approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl and multiple firearms. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency says 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, depending on a person's body size, tolerance, and past usage. By that measure, the amount of fentanyl seized could have caused the deaths of as many as 5 million people.

The Suspects Could Get Up to 20 Years in Prison

A charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

We'll update this story as more details become available.