Drug investigators arrested six people, two of whom are accused of being in the country illegally, while executing a search warrant early Tuesday at a Norridgewock residence, authorities said.
The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Waterville Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, executed the warrant around 5:40 a.m. at the residence of William Allen on Ward Hill Road, Sheriff Dale Lancaster said in a statement Wednesday.
Police seized 170 grams of suspected fentanyl and cocaine, more than 200 controlled pills, $6,277 in suspected illegal drug sale proceeds, and other drug-related items, Lancaster said. He estimated the drugs have a street value of $16,000.
According to Lancaster, police arrested:
• Ariel Hernandez-Batista, 34, of Lawrence, Massachusetts; he is charged with one Class A count of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. CBP also placed a detainer on Hernandez-Batista for allegedly being in the United States illegally.
• Luis Marte-Mateo, 28, of Cambridge, Massachusetts; he is charged with one Class A count of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. CBP also placed a detainer on Marte-Mateo for allegedly being in the United States illegally.
• Luke Silvia, 44, of Skowhegan; he is charged with one Class A count of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs.
• Randell Woods, 40, of Madison; he is charged with one Class C count of possession of scheduled drugs and one count of violation of condition of release, a misdemeanor.
• Denise Webber, 50, of Norridgewock; she had an outstanding arrest warrant.
• Jeremy Ross, 46, of Anson; he had an outstanding arrest warrant.
Hernandez-Batista, Marte-Mateo and Woods were each being held at the Somerset County Jail in Madison without bail as of Wednesday morning, Lancaster said. Bail for Silvia was set at $50,000 cash and he was also being held at the jail.
Ross and Webber were not in custody at the jail as of midday Wednesday, jail records show. Both of their warrants were for failing to appear in court on unrelated charges; bail had been set at $100 each, according to jail records.
All six were issued summonses to appear in court in Skowhegan on July 8. Those remaining in custody Wednesday afternoon were also expected to make initial court appearances in Skowhegan, at which bail would be reviewed and a judge would appoint them attorneys, if necessary.
During the search, Hernandez-Batista, Marte-Mateo, and Silvia attempted to flee the residence “via a hole inside the residence floor,” Lancaster said. Officers “quickly apprehended” them “underneath the residence.”
The sheriff encouraged those interested in treatment, harm reduction, or recovery support to contact Sheriff’s Office care coordinator Betsy Richard at 207-858-8466.
“She can connect you with the resources and services you need to get your life back on track,” he said. “We are here to support your recovery. Your privacy will always be respected.”
