The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and local police have arrested three men accused of being involved in a heroin trafficking network in Rumford and Bethel.

Police arrested 61-year-old William Heller of Rumford, 26-year-old Jason Howe of Bethel and 45-year-old David Cherkis of Greenwood earlier this week on felony drug trafficking charges.

Authorities accuse the men of participating in a network that was distributing an estimated 500 doses of heroin per month in the Rumford and Bethel areas.

Agents seized more than 300 doses of heroin, money from drug sales, and drug materials at Heller’s home and additional drugs, money and materials from Howe’s home.

Howe was released on bail Monday. Heller and Cherkis remain in custody. It was not immediately known if the men were being represented by lawyers.


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