The ringleader of a Lewiston drug trafficking ring that purchased heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone pills and other drugs in Massachusetts to sell in Maine was sentenced on Thursday to serve 14 years in federal prison.
Romelly Dastinot, 35, was arrested in May 22, 2014, as part of a multi-agency sweep in the Lewiston area and in Massachusetts after months of investigation that ultimately netted 16 people accused of being conspirators, according to police.
Investigators learned from their investigation that involved phone taps, surveillance and undercover drug buys that Dastinot and his ring had been transporting drugs from Massachusetts and elsewhere back to the Lewiston area to sell throughout Androscoggin County, according to court records.
Dastinot, also known by the street name Marcus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland last April 17 to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and oxycodone.
Judge Jon Levy also sentenced Dastinot to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term.
Twelve other conspirators in the ring already have been sentenced in the case. Three others have been convicted and are now awaiting sentencing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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