GREENFIELD — Three of a dozen people arrested in 2021 in connection with a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating out of a Greenfield barbershop changed their pleas Tuesday regarding their involvement in the operation and another had her case continued without a finding for one year.

Brothers Daniel Rice Jr., 39, Brandon Rice, 36, and mother Raeline Phelps, 58, pleaded guilty in Franklin County Superior Court to various charges related to the cocaine trafficking operation led by the brothers. Nicole Perkins, 28, got a year of administrative probation pertaining to one count of conspiracy to violate drug law.

Brandon Rice pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate drug law and an amended charge of trafficking in cocaine, 36 to 100 grams, as did his brother, Daniel, who also pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering. The Rice brothers were sentenced to five to eight years in state prison, with 110 days of credit for time served after they were arrested and before they posted bail.

Phelps will be on administrative probation for two years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate drug law and money laundering. The prosecution dropped a charge of trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more.

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, police broke up the cocaine trafficking ring in December 2021 following a seven-month investigation involving more than a dozen law enforcement organizations. Daniel Rice Jr. owned and operated Dapper Dan’s Barbershop on Chapman Street in Greenfield, a location that served as part of the operation. The barbershop business no longer exists.

After the changes of plea on Tuesday, the prosecution dropped charges that Cheri Gallegos and Nicole Barnes faced for their alleged involvement with the trafficking operation.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber prosecuted all these cases for the state. Daniel Rice Jr. was represented by Luke Ryan, Brandon Rice’s attorney was Paul Rudof, Phelps was represented by Colin Keefe and Perkins was represented by Bonnie Allen.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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