Wareham man arrested for cocaine trafficking

Dec 27, 2022

A Wareham man was one of three men arrested for cocaine trafficking on Thursday, Dec. 22.

According to a news release from the state Attorney General’s office, Shawn Panepinto, 26, of Wareham, was arrested alongside Michael Reyes, 39, of Rochester, and Jakeem Finley, 25, of Brockton.

Panepinto was arraigned in Wareham District Court on Friday, Dec. 23 on one count each of Trafficking Cocaine, 200 Grams or More, Trafficking Cocaine, 100-200 Grams, and Conspiracy. 

Panepinto was arrested when he arrived at a Middleboro motel where narcotics were allegedly being stashed. A search of his car found more than $4,000 and 32 grams of fentanyl and cocaine. Investigators found 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl and 1.3 kilograms of cocaine in the motel room. 

Panepinto’s bail was set at $100,000. He is due back in court on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 for a probable cause hearing. 

The arrests were the result of a months-long joint investigation by the New England Fentanyl Strike Force, the Plymouth Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Caitlin McDermott of Attorney General Maura Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division.