BOSTON – Eight New England residents were arrested and charged yesterday in connection with a nationwide meth trafficking ring in an investigation that saw over 100 pounds of drugs seized by authorities.

Investigators seized around 152 pounds of methamphetamine during the investigation from controlled purchases, motor vehicle stops and package seizures, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Three Massachusetts residents and two Rhode Islanders were among the eight charged in the massive drugs bust.

Edison Klotz, 40, of Stoughton and Robyn Costa, 35, of Whitman were among those arrested, along with 52-year-old Brian Keleman of Woonsocket, Rhode Island and 60-year-old Turkish national Reshat Alkayisi of Coventry, Rhode Island.

Get our free mobile app

They were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, along with 45-year-old New Hampshire residents Eric Daneault and Andrew Watson and Emil Dzabiev, 40, of Maine.

Braintree resident Patrick O’Hearn, 61, was charged separately by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

 

Costa is also charged with possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.

Around October 2020, agents received information about a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area, the U.S. Attorney's Office stated.

In late 2020, investigators identified Alkayisi as an alleged methamphetamine trafficker who distributes large quantities to customers throughout the New England area.

Controlled purchases and intercepted electronic communications identified regular methamphetamine customers including Costa, Daneault, Watson, Dzabiev and O’Hearn.

O’Hearn allegedly assists Alkayisi in storing methamphetamine and drug proceeds.

On June 1, investigators seized four packages containing around 100 pounds of suspected methamphetamine from Keleman that he allegedly picked up for Alkayisi from a Rhode Island UPS store.

During a search of Alkayisi’s residence in Rhode Island yesterday, investigators seized an AK-47 assault rifle, a handgun and ammunition, over $23,000 cash and multiple controlled substances, including suspected methamphetamine.

Each defendant faces up to 40 years to life in prison and fines of up to $5 to $10 million.

 

“Traffickers are bringing massive shipments of methamphetamine to New England, and that creates a new and especially dangerous threat,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Mendell. “My office and our law enforcement partners cracked this case, but this is only the beginning.”

“Today we arrested members of a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking organization who lined their pockets by poisoning our communities, capitalizing on the misery of others," said Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the FBI Boston Division. "We have taken at least 152 pounds of methamphetamine off the street, which is a record amount for this region, and seized numerous firearms."

“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New England,” commented Brian Boyle, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Office.

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

Our Most Anticipated Movies of Summer 2021

 

 

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420