MARTHA’S VINEYARD – Last Friday at approximately 4:35 p.m., officers assigned to the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force (MVDTF) executed two search warrants simultaneously. The search warrants were granted by the Edgartown District Court stemming from a three-month-long investigation into the distribution of cocaine and heroin on Martha’s Vineyard.
The search warrants authorized the search of a motor vehicle (black 2014 Toyota Camry) and a residence located at 2 Hye Way in Edgartown.
The investigation focused on 27-year-old Aaron Watkins (top right) and 24-year-old Desmond Roderiques (lower right), both from New Bedford. Officials say both are affiliated with the Monte’s Park street gang, and have extensive narcotics records.
Watkins and Roderiques were stopped by MVDTF officers as they drove the Toyota Camry off the Steamship Authority ferry in Vineyard Haven. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of the following: 53 grams of cocaine, 23 grams of heroin, several containers of marijuana, US currency, and other narcotics distribution paraphernalia. Estimated Martha’s Vineyard street value of the seized narcotics is approximately $12,000.
A separate team of MVDTF officers served the search warrant at the Edgartown address. The residence had been used by Watkins, Roderiques and others associated with the distribution activity. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of the following: 80.5 grams of marijuana, methadone pills, psilocybin mushrooms, a digital scale and other narcotics distribution paraphernalia.
Watkins and Roderiques were both taken to the Dukes County House of Correction and charged with the following criminal offenses: trafficking of a class A substance (heroin), trafficking of a class B substance (cocaine), and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. Bail was set at $50,000.00 each and they will be arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Friday 10/23.
This case remains under investigation and it is likely that more people will face criminal charges.
Media release furnished by Edgartown Police; mugshots furnished by Dukes County Sheriff’s Office
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