Eight arrested in nationwide meth trafficking ring, two from Rhode Island

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) – FBI Boston Division announced Friday eight people have been arrested and charged in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating between California and New England.

Investigators seized about 152 pounds of methamphetamine during the investigation, from controlled purchases, motor vehicle stops and package seizures.

The following subjects were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine:

·         Reshat Alkayisi, 60, a Turkish national residing in Coventry, R.I.;

·         Brian Keleman, 52, of Woonsocket, R.I.;

·         Robyn Costa, 35, of Whitman, Mass.;

·         Eric Daneault, 45, of Manchester, N.H.:

·         Andre Watson, 45, of Nashua, N.H.;

·         Emil Dzabiev, 40, of Scarborough, Maine; and

·         Edison Klotz 40, of Stoughton, Mass.

Patrick O’Hearn, 61, of Braintree, Mass. was charged separately by criminal complaint.

In October 2020 investigators received information about the potential activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in Boston. Later in 2020, Alkayisi was identified as a methamphetamine trafficker, distributing to customers throughout New England, including Keleman.

On June 1 of this year, investigators seized four packages containing about 100 pounds of methamphetamine from Keleman that he allegedly picked up on behalf of Alkayisi at a UPS store.

Authorities searched Alkayisi’s house in Rhode Island Thursday, where they seized an AK-47, a handgun and ammunition, over $23,000 case and multiple controlled substances, included suspected methamphetamine.