Ten people accused of trafficking drugs in the Hardwick area were arrested Wednesday, police said, with several facing fentanyl related charges.
Hardwick Police Chief Aaron Cochran said at a press conference that the individuals were arrested as part of an “extensive investigation” spanning several months.
Eight of those facing charges are from Hardwick, police said: Charles Bagley, 47; Tinisha Demo, 25; Forest Foster Jr., 38; Alain Fradette, 59; Denise Fradette, 30; Kevin Fradette, 27; Ryan Hill, 31; and Loretta McKenney, 46.
Cherie Salls, 43, of Eden, and Christopher Thompson, 36, of Walden, also face charges, police said.
Bagley and Denise and Kevin Fradette all face charges relating to the sale of fentanyl, the supercharged opioid linked to scores of lethal overdoses in Vermont, according to the Department of Corrections’ online database.
Charges for the others were not available online Thursday.
Cochran thanked the Vermont State Police, Washington and Caledonia sheriff’s offices, the U.S. Marshal Service, state game wardens and Barre town police for aiding the investigation.
“The trafficking of narcotics has become a local epidemic in many Vermont communities, including ours,” the chief said Wednesday. “The cooperation of area law enforcement and information from the community is vital as we move forward to rid our streets from the poison being sold on them.”
Then he issued a warning to those involved in the drug trade: “You may be seeing us tomorrow morning, or next week.”
