BELMONT — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has charged three people for alleged fentanyl trafficking in Belmont. 

Over the past five months, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force conducted an investigation into the illegal trafficking of drugs throughout Waldo County. Agents conducted several undercover purchases of fentanyl from a home on the Back Belmont Road in Belmont, the Maine Dept. of Public Safety said Sept. 1 in a news release.

The homeowners, Jere and Judy Waterman, allegedly allowed a New York man, Raqwan Ryant, to use their home to sell fentanyl, according to the release.

Charges were levied again:

Raqwan Ryant, 21, of Brooklyn, New York, for Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, (Fentanyl)

Jere Waterman, 49, of Belmont, Maine, for Class B Trafficking in Schedule Drugs (Fentanyl)

Judy Waterman, 51, of Belmont, Maine for Class B Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Fentanyl)

Police said that the Waterman recruited customers to come to their home where they allegedly sold fentanyl provided by Ryant.

In the afternoon of August 31, agents executed a search warrant at the Waterman’s residence.

Agents found Ryant in a bedroom with a loaded handgun and fentanyl in his pockets. police said.

A loaded rifle was also located on a bed in the room. More fentanyl was located in the room along with approximately $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

Ryant was arrested and transported to the Waldo County Jail without incident.

The Watermans were both charged by Criminal Summons with a court date of November 5, 2021 in Waldo County Superior Court.

More than 150 grams of fentanyl was seized during the search warrant with an approximate value of $25,000

Agents were assisted in the investigation by the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.

On average more than 50 Maine citizens per month have died due to drug overdose this year, the release said.

“The MDEA will continue to identify, disrupt, and dismantle those who traffic deadly drugs throughout Maine,” it said.

If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in this state, you are urged to contact the MDEA office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.