Methuen Man Arrested for Alleged Involvement in Local Drug Trafficking Ring

(File photograph)

A Methuen man was among five locals arrested for their alleged involvement in a major Merrimack Valley-based drug trafficking ring. (File photograph)

A 42-year-old Methuen man was arrested for trafficking cocaine and oxycodone in a major drug sweep of alleged traffickers in Lawrence and Methuen, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office said Thursday.

Encebio Esperitusanto’s bail was set at $10,000 following his June 12 arrest and arraignment in Lawrence District Court. The man must answer to one count of cocaine trafficking and two counts of oxycodone trafficking, along with one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws, Healey’s office said. He next appears in court July 13.

Three Lawrence residents and one from Lowell were also nabbed during the takedown, which led to the seizure of nearly 2,000 oxycodone pills and more than 200 grams of cocaine.

Lowell’s Yohannel Gil and Lawrence’s Marco Martinez face the stiffest penalties of the co-defendants—including five counts of distribution of oxycodone for Gil and three counts of trafficking oxycodone for Martinez. Bail for both was set at $100,000 each.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and the investigation is ongoing.