GREENFIELD — The attorney for one of the 18 people charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking syndicate that had been operating out of a Greenfield barbershop has filed a motion to impound purportedly compromising photos of his client on her cellphone, which was seized by authorities.

Donald Frank is representing Cheri Gallegos and appeared in Franklin County Superior Court for a pretrial hearing Thursday alongside the attorneys for his client’s 17 co-defendants. Judge Michael Callan declined to rule on Frank’s motion for the time being. Another pretrial hearing is slated for Dec. 16.

Gallegos has been charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws. She was released on personal recognizance, meaning no bail was set.

“This is a record for me,” Callan said looking at the sea of attorneys and defendants gathered in the courtroom.

Following a seven-month investigation involving more than a dozen law enforcement organizations, police broke up an alleged cocaine trafficking ring investigators believe distributed between 100 and 200 grams of cocaine a day throughout Franklin and Hampshire counties and the North Quabbin region.

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, brothers Daniel G. Rice, of Hatfield, and Brandon M. Rice, of West Springfield, were the alleged leaders of the trafficking group. Daniel Rice owned and operated Dapper Dan’s Barbershop on Chapman Street in Greenfield, a location the DA’s office believes was a part of the alleged operation. The barbershop business no longer exists.

Each Rice brother was charged with trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Daniel Rice was also charged with possession or transportation of a monetary instrument for money laundering, as was Nicole Barnes. Daniel Rice was previously ordered held on $30,000 bail, while Brandon Rice was held on $5,000 bail.

Other defendants

Jason Nadeau and Nathan Ortiz have been charged with trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Nadeau’s bail was $300,000 cash or $500,000 surety, while Ortiz’s bail was $50,000. Facing the same two charges are Rebekah Thompson, Heather L. Symanski and David B. Caplice. Thompson was released on personal recognizance, Symanski was held on $3,000 bail and Caplice’s bail was set at $100,000.

Raeline Phelps faces charges of trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession or transportation of a monetary instrument for money laundering.

Jaimilee Bontempi, Jason Byrd, David Gallegos, Damien Johnson, Nicole Perkins, Damek Ryan, Robert Blake and Britney Porcino face charges of conspiracy to violate drug laws. All were released on personal recognizance except Byrd, who is out on $10,000 bail, and Blake, who was held on $3,000 bail.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.

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