FAIRFIELD — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested five people for their alleged roles in distributing crack cocaine and fentanyl throughout Somerset County. More than a pound of crack was seized, along with fentanyl and a gun, according to a news release.

Arrested were:
Markwan Granville, 19, of Rochester, N.Y., for aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000.

Jamie Martinez Betances, 29, of Rochester, N.Y., for aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000.

Juvenile male, 17, of Rochester, N.Y., for aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $50,000.

Rhonda Goldsmith, 43, of Vassalboro, for aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs, Class A. Bail was set at $25,000.

Jeffrey Charette, 47, of Winslow, for unlawful furnishing of schedule W drugs, Class D. Bail was set at $2,500.

In the news release, the MDEA said that in response to community complaints, for the past two months agents from the agency’s 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, N.Y., were traveling to Maine regularly with large amounts of drugs that were sold to local users.

On May 10, information was developed by Gardiner Police that the group was suspected of storing a large amount of drugs at a Center Road residence in Fairfield. Agents and investigators established surveillance of the residence as a search warrant was being secured. During the surveillance, Goldsmith, Granville and the teenager were allegedly 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 Center Road, agents allegedly 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.

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

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.