Five in court for drug distribution scheme, conspiracy

WORCESTER — Five people, including a Fitchburg woman, suspected in a fentanyl distribution operation were arraigned on Friday in Central District Court after a joint investigation by the State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Gang Unit, Worcester Police Vice Unit and the State Police K9 Unit, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Approximately 320 grams of a substance suspected to be the synthetic opioid fentanyl were seized along with $26,837.

All five defendants were charged with trafficking in 200 grams or more of heroin/morphine/opium and conspiracy to violate the drug law.

Jonly A. Dominguez, 33, of 637 Grafton St., Apt. 2, also was charged with four counts of distribution of a Class A substance. He was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Friday.

Jorge L. Martinez-Encarnacion, 31, of the same address, was held on $10,000 bail. His case was continued to June 28.

Gioconda Reyes, 26, of 60 Plantation St., Apt. 2, was held without bail for a dangerousness hearing on tomorrow.

Sharina Maria-Reyes, 23, of 60 Plantation St., Apt. 2, was released without bail on a GPS monitor. Her case was continued to June 28.

Tania Ramos, 38, of 127 Crestview Lane, Fitchburg, was released without bail on a GPS monitor. Her case was continued to June 28.

Investigators obtained search warrants for 637 Grafton St. and 60 Plantation St. The search at the Grafton Street address netted about 200 grams of a substance suspected to be fentanyl, a large amount of U.S. currency, digital scales and packaging materials. At the Plantation Street address investigators found more of a substance suspected to be fentanyl and various items used to break up large amounts of narcotics.

Investigators retrieved more of a substance suspected to be fentanyl when executing search warrants on four vehicles connected to the defendants.