Major Drug Bust in Fairfield Leads to Two Arrests and Significant Seizures
FAIRFIELD — In a significant operation on Wednesday morning, law enforcement officials arrested two individuals and confiscated over 200 grams of suspected illegal drugs following a search of a residential property on Faiths Way. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Waterville and Fairfield police, executed the search warrant at approximately 5:10 a.m., concluding a months-long investigation into alleged drug sales.
Sheriff Dale Lancaster reported that eleven people were initially detained during the operation. Authorities seized suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, controlled pills, and various drug-related paraphernalia, with an estimated street value exceeding $20,000.
Donald Banks, 38, from New York, and Robert Irish, 59, of Fairfield, were arrested on multiple counts of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. Banks is noted for prior convictions relating to drug trafficking, leading to a seven-year prison sentence, of which he was ordered to serve 18 months. He is currently held at the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $50,000. Meanwhile, Irish, who faced multiple bail conditions, is being held without bail. Both are scheduled to appear in court on August 6 in Skowhegan.
Additionally, three others were charged in connection with the bust: Nicole Lamphere, 43, from Madison, faced charges for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, while Heather Ward, 39, from Winslow, and Justin Poirier, 28, from Norridgewock, were charged with unlawful possession as well.
The investigation remains active, with further review anticipated by the Somerset County district attorney’s office. Sheriff Lancaster emphasized the importance of addressing substance use disorder, encouraging individuals to seek support through local health services.
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