NORRIDGEWOCK, ME — The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office executed a drug search warrant at a Ward Hill Road residence on Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of approximately 170 grams of fentanyl and cocaine.
The search warrant was executed at approximately 5:40 a.m. at the residence of William Allen following a month-long investigation into alleged drug sales from the location.
The execution team, led by Det. Lt. Carl Gottardi II, consisted of six Sheriff’s Office detectives, three Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and three Waterville Police Department detectives.
Four U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and a drug detection K-9 unit assisted at the scene.
During the execution of the search warrant, three individuals attempted to flee through a hole in the residence floor and were apprehended underneath the residence.
Officers seized over 200 controlled pills, $6,277 in suspected illegal drug proceeds, digital scales, drug-related documentation and drug paraphernalia.
Other substances seized are being tested.
The seized drugs have an approximate street value of $16,000.
Ariel Hernandez-Batista, 34, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class A felony.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection placed a federal detainer on Hernandez-Batista for allegedly being in the United States illegally.
Hernandez-Batista is being held without bail.
Luis Marte-Mateo, 28, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class A felony.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection placed a federal detainer on Marte-Mateo for allegedly being in the United States illegally.
Marte-Mateo is being held without bail.
Luke Silvia, 44, of Skowhegan, was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class A felony.
Silvia’s bail was set at $50,000 cash.
Randell Woods, 40, of Madison, was arrested and charged with possession of scheduled drugs, a Class C felony, and violation of conditions of release.
Woods was out on bail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest and is being held without bail.
Denise Webber, 50, of Norridgewock, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Webber’s bail was set at $100 cash.
Jeremy Ross, 46, of Anson, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.
All six defendants have initial court dates set for July 8, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.
