A New Bedford, Massachusetts, man recently released from the Maine State Prison after serving time for drug dealing is charged with trying to smuggle Suboxone into the facility.

Police announced Friday that a lengthy investigation led to the arrest of Manny Sylvia and five other people in connection with a scheme to smuggle the anti-addiction medicine into the state prison in Warren.

Agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Mid-Coast Task Force, troopers and state prison investigators conducted the two-month investigation, which led to the seizure of 28 Suboxone strips prepared to be delivered to the prison during visitation hours. The strips are highly sought after in prison. While they go for $7 to $10 each in a legitimate sale, they can cost $400 each in prison.

The strips were mailed by Sylvia, who was arrested Tuesday by Massachusetts authorities and is expected to be extradited to Maine on charges of aggravated trafficking in Suboxone. Sylvia, 29, was recently released from the prison after serving a sentence for trafficking in oxycodone and cocaine, police said.

Police charged Emily Michaud, 18, of Portland and Rosa Colon, 37, of Waterville with trafficking in Suboxone, for their role in receiving the strips from Sylvia and preparing them to be brought into the prison. Police said three inmates, Michael Bailey, 31; Jorge Santiago, 33; and Tyler Crawford, 20, arranged payments for and delivery of the drugs. They were charged with trafficking in Suboxone.

David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

dhench@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Mainehenchman