Correction to "SPD seizes ecstacy, methamphetamines"

The Somerville News was incorrect in stating that the Somerville Police Department seized ecstacy and methamphetamines. The investigation was actually spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from a Somerville police officer.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, announced that arrests took place Sept. 25 after the attempted sale of approximately 150,000 ecstasy pills and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to undercover officers. Eight individuals have been charged in an eighteen-count Indictment; four others are charged in a criminal complaint.
Named in the Indictment are:
1. SANAXAY KHOUNTHY, age 26, of 670 North Main Street, Leominster, MA;
2. THONGPANE CHANHSY, age 31, of 27 Hartford Street, Fitchburg, MA;
3. JASON MOUNSONBATH, age 19, of 670 North Main Street, Leominster, MA;
4. BUN Y. SREY, age 23, of 17 Third Street, Lowell, MA;
5. SOMSANIT THONGSENG, age 34, of 670 Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY;
6. CHANPHENG SOUVANNASENG, age 37, of 58 Brinkman Avenue, Buffalo, NY;
7. BOULA SISOMPENG, age 36, of 7214 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, North Carolina; and
8. VIEN XAY KOUNLABOUTH, age 35, of 365 East Street, Buffalo, NY.
Named in the criminal complaint are:
1. BOUNKHONG SISAVATH, age 37, of Quebec, Canada.
2. THONGKHOUNE INTHOULANGSY, age 43, of Quebec, Canada.
3. SIDA XAYSATKSITH, age 36, of Quebec, Canada.
4. DANNAVON DOUANGCHAK, age 43, of Quebec, Canada.
According to the Indictment and other documents filed with the Court, it is alleged that beginning in February 2005, KHOUNTHY supplied crack and powder cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers ("UCs") on several occasions. It is alleged that KHOUNTHY sold the drugs directly or with the assistance of others, including CHANHSY, a major distributor of crack cocaine for KHOUNTHY, and MOUNSONBATH, a runner/courier. It is also alleged that KHOUNTHY participated in the sale of methamphetamine and ecstasy to the UCs. It is alleged that SREY was a supplier of methamphetamine for KHOUNTHY.
It is also alleged that THONGSENG, a major supplier of ecstasy for KHOUNTHY, was introduced to the UCs by KHOUNTHY. Following the introduction, it is alleged that the UCs dealt directly with THONGSENG for future purchases of ecstasy. It is alleged that the UCs were eventually introduced by THONGSENG to his boss, SOUVANNASENG, and another associate, KOUNLABOUTH, who participated in a sale of ecstasy to undercover agents in Buffalo, New York. It is alleged that THONGSENG had a second source of supply for his ecstasy – SISOMPENG in North Carolina.
The four defendants charged by complaint, SISAVATH, INTHOULANGSY, XAYSATKSITH and DOUANGCHAK, are alleged to have participated in the final sale of methamphetamine and ecstasy to the undercover agents, which led to yesterday’s arrests. It is alleged that after agents negotiated the $600,000 purchase of 150,000 ecstasy pills and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine through KHOUNTHY and THONGSENG, defendants SISAVATH and INTHOULANGSY helped supply the drugs from Montreal, while XAYSATKSITH and DOUANGCHAK acted as couriers, delivering the drugs, which were hidden in two vehicles, over the Canadian border.
A Somerville Police narcotics officer infiltrated the drug ring and "was instrumental in bringing this investigation to a conclusion," according to DEA Agent Steve Story.
For safety reasons, the name of the Somerville Police officer is not being released, said Police Lt. Paul Upton.
"He did this at great personal risk," Upton said of the undercover officer.