Multiple suspects arrested in Nantucket in connection with drug raid

Four people were recently arrested on drug and weapons charges in Nantucket in a joint operation by federal and local authorities, and one suspect was allegedly linked to a gang selling fentanyl on the North Shore, according to the FBI and island police.

According to separate statements by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S., the arrests took place on November 21. Levy’s office AND Nantucket Police.

Police on the island reported statement posted on Facebook that his detective and patrol units helped the FBI’s Gang Task Force serve an arrest warrant at an address on Hooper Farm Road at 6 a.m. that day.

Levy’s office said federal authorities arrested the suspect, 31-year-old John Angel, as part of an investigation into the 18th Street gang on the North Shore.

Meanwhile, local police arrested three additional people at the address on state charges of cocaine trafficking and illegal possession of ammunition, officials said. Police identified the three as Maicol Jose Baires Soriano, 31, Carlos Arnulfo Vasquez Hernandez, 31, and Victor Alfanzo Ramirez Valdivieso, 32.

In the FBI case, Angel is one of four people charged federally in connection with the 18th Street Crew, according to Levy’s office. Records show Angel faces federal charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Angel’s lawyer, Aviva E. Jeruchim, said Wednesday that her client denies the allegations.

Levy’s office says Angel’s co-defendants allegedly sold hundreds of fentanyl pills and cocaine to cooperating witnesses in Everett, and distributed more than 40 grams of fentanyl at another location.

“It is alleged that during an arrest search at Angel’s Nantucket home, approximately 100 grams of suspected cocaine and approximately $25,000 in cash were recovered,” Levy’s office said.

Records show Angel pleaded not guilty on November 21 in U.S. District Court in Boston. Court documents show he was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 4.

This breaking story will be updated as more information is released.

Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected].