Six men including two from Springfield are facing charges in connection to a federal investigation of a drug ring operation in Vermont.
A federal grand jury indicted 29-year-old Mathew Ponce and 23-year-old Giovanny Guzman, both of Springfield.
Also indicted were 30-year-old Eddie Melendez, 28-year-old Reuben Melendez and 53-year-old Serafin Melendez, all of Feeding Hills.
The men are all charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl between August 2023 and January 2024.
Authorities say 31-year old Anthony Baker of Rutland, Vermont is also under indictment. Other charges are pending against some of the men. All the men have pleaded not guilty. Eddie Melendez, Serafin Melendez, Reuben Melendez, and Ponce were all released on conditions pending trial. Baker and Guzman were ordered held pending trial.
If convicted, the men face up to twenty years in prison.
(Photo Credit: Vermont State Police)