Press Release  Ipswich Woman Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl on North Shore in Criminal Drug Operation

Boston — An Ipswich woman has plead guilty and been sentenced for distributing fentanyl as part of a criminal drug network on the North Shore, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Samantha Pike, age 26, pleaded guilty today to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (one count) and Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count) in Essex Superior Court.

Following the plea, Pike was sentenced to serve two and a half years in the House of Correction, with 31 days to serve and the balance suspended for a probationary period of three years. She has served the 31 days. The AG’s Office recommended Pike serve two to four years in state prison with three years of probation upon completing the sentence.

“These are very serious crimes. Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is killing people across our state and this defendant was supplying them to people on the North Shore,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to work with law enforcement to combat the drug epidemic and aggressively prosecute those who bring these lethal drugs into the hands of those struggling with addiction.”

Pike was arrested on Dec. 29, 2015 in Ipswich along with Richard Castillo (a.k.a. Luis Santana), of Danvers, Illona Castillo, of Danvers, John Eaton, of Ipswich, Brett Eglin, of Ipswich and Gary Collum of Ipswich by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office with assistance from Ipswich Police.

Pike was one of the major distributors of the drug distribution network that the Castillos allegedly ran in the North Shore.

The arrests were the result of a joint investigation that began in May 2015 by the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and the Ipswich Police Department.

"Thank you to all the people who brought this defendant to justice, but especially the AG's Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and the Ipswich Police Department Criminal Investigations Division,” said Ipswich Police Chief Paul Nikas. “This case demonstrates how cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement is essential in the battle against the heroin trade operating in Massachusetts. The residents of Ipswich are very appreciative of their efforts."

During the execution of a search warrant in December, at an Ipswich residence linked to Pike and Collum, authorities seized two bags of drugs later determined to contain fentanyl, a leger, scales and cash. State Police and Ipswich Police also seized also seized one bag of fentanyl at a second Ipswich home and they seized multiple bags of heroin and fentanyl and $75,000 in cash at the Castillo’s home.

The six defendants were indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury in March 2016 on various drug distribution and possession charges. The cases against the Castillos and Collum are ongoing.

The AG’s Office has been working closely with its federal, state and local partners to combat illegal drug trafficking. AG Healey formed an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s Office is using a multi-faceted approach that includes education for prescribers, pursuing illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expanding access to recovery and treatment programs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division, and Assistant Attorney General Patrick Hanley, Chief of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division, with assistance from Investigator Daniel DeAngelis, of the AG’s Financial Investigations Division, Victim Witness Advocate John Malone, of the AG’s Victim Witness Services Division, investigators from the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ipswich Police Department and the Danvers Police Department.

###