Major Drug Ring Bust Nets Newton Men

Two Newton men and 13 other individuals are facing drug distribution charges in connection with a Boston-area narcotics distribution ring, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The suspects were arrested on the morning of Thursday, May 9 and include:

• Brian Chisholm, 44, of Newton
• Raymond Ponaggio, 44, of Newton
• Michael Bourque, 42, of Natick
• Robert Hagenaars, 37, of Waltham
• Barry Goolst, 52, of Waltham
• Phillip Goolst, 49, of Waltham
• Thomas Ehwa, 26, of Waltham
• Frank McGuire, 42, of Natick
• Michael Roy, 32, of Milford
• Christopher Yancey, 42, of Natick
• Corey Assencoa, 43, of Hopkinton
• Sean Cotter, 41, of Acton
• Mark Newton, 27, of Hudson
• Mark Ouellette, 43, of Shirley
• John Kinney, 29, of Woburn

According to a press release, a court-authorized  wiretap was used to listen in on the suspects’ activity over a four-month period. Bourque, who owns a Natick-based shipping firm named DEX, used his company to distribute oxycodone (Percocet) pills to redistributors and drug customers. Bourque allegedly acquired the drugs from several sources and used Yancey, Phillip Goolst, Barry Goolst, McGuire and others to distribute the pills.

During a March 29 search of Ouellette’s home, , authorities found around 1,500 oxycodone pills and more than $40,000 in cash. They also found a loaded firearm.

The operation began around February 2011 and ended in April 2013, according to the release.

Each charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison along with a $1 million fine and a supervised release for life.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation,  Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms all participated in the investigation. Police in Waltham, Natick, Haverhill, Shirley, Lexington, Arlington, Millis, Boston, Stoughton, Watertown, Braintree, Woburn, Acton and Milford also assisted.