GREENFIELD — Five of the 12 people arrested in December in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking syndicate operating out of a Greenfield barbershop pleaded not guilty in Franklin County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon after their cases were transferred from Greenfield District Court due to their severity.

Brothers Daniel G. Rice, 38, of Hatfield, and Brandon M. Rice, 35, of West Springfield, were ordered held on $30,000 and $5,000 bail, respectively, while the figure was set at $100,000 for David B. Caplice, 38, of Greenfield, and $3,000 for Heather L. Symanski, 31, of Greenfield. Nicole Barnes, 42, of West Springfield, was released on personal recognizance.

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

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the Rice brothers were the alleged leaders of the trafficking organization. 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 is now closed.

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.

Caplice, the only one of the five to appear before Judge Francis Flannery on Thursday via video conference, also faces the charges of trafficking in cocaine, 200 grams or more, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Symanski was charged with trafficking in cocaine (more than 18 grams and less than 38 grams), and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Barnes was charged with possession or transportation of a monetary instrument for money laundering.

Also arrested

As a result of evidence gathered by authorities, Jason Byrd of Greenfield has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to violate drug laws and was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail. Wayne Rockwood of Greenfield pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking cocaine over 18 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He was ordered held on $3,500 cash bail.

Jason Nadeau of Ludlow and Nathan Ortiz of Greenfield have pleaded not guilty to trafficking in cocaine over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Nadeau was ordered held on $300,000 cash bail or $500,000 surety, while Ortiz’s bail was set at $100,000. Their petitions to have their bail lowered were denied by Judge Michael Callan last month.

Robert Blake of Greenfield pleaded not guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws and was ordered held on $3,000 cash bail. Rebekah Thompson of Charlemont pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking in cocaine over 18 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws and was released on personal recognizance.

David Gallegos, 28, Jaimilee Bontempi, 29, both from Deerfield, and Damek Ryan of Montague each pleaded not guilty to single counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws. Each was released on personal recognizance.

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