FAIRFIELD — Somerset County Sheriff’s Office executed a drug search warrant at a residence on Faiths Way early Wednesday, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of over 200 grams of fentanyl and crack cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $20,000.
The raid, conducted at approximately 5:10 a.m. on May 7, followed a months-long investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division into alleged drug sales from the location.
Sixteen law enforcement officers participated in the operation, including Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies, along with officers from Waterville and Fairfield Police Departments.
Authorities initially detained 11 individuals inside the residence and discovered controlled pills, illegal drug documentation, and drug paraphernalia in addition to the narcotics.
Donald Banks, 38, of New York, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs (Class A) and on an outstanding warrant.
Banks’ charges were elevated due to the quantity of drugs seized and his prior felony drug trafficking convictions in Maine, including a 2012 case that resulted in an 18-month jail sentence.
Robert Irish, 59, of Fairfield, faces two counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs and Violation of Conditions of Release, along with two outstanding warrants.
Three additional individuals were charged with drug possession: Nicole Lamphere, 43, of Madison; Heather Ward, 39, of Winslow; and Justin Poirier, 28, of Norridgewock.
Banks’ bail has been set at $50,000 cash, while Irish is being held without bail due to being on three sets of bail for unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.
All five defendants are scheduled for initial court appearances on August 6 in the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.
