Local duo busted in massive drug ring

SALEM – A Swampscott duo is being held on $100,000 cash bail each for their alleged roles in a large scale, multi-state Ecstasy and marijuana drug ring.Michael McMahon, 19, of 7 Hillcrest Circle and Dean Dennis, 20, of 15 Nason Road, were both arraigned Tuesday at Salem District Court by Judge Robert Brennan on Ecstasy distribution and firearm charges. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 12.An undercover investigation by a federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent and state police revealed that the two were allegedly selling Ecstasy in Swampscott and Lynn, and to students at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.A third suspect, Dennis’ girlfriend, Amanda B. Langan, 21, of 40 Stetson Ave., Swampscott, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for various drug and firearm charges, and arraigned later that day at Salem District by Judge Richard Mori. She was released on personal recognizance and ordered to return to court July 14 for a pre-trial conference.In addition to the latest charges, McMahon and Dennis also pleaded innocent Monday at Peabody District Court to conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of Class D, marijuana, with intent to distribute. Dean was also charged with operating under the influence of drugs. The two had been arrested after their vehicle was stopped in Lynnfield June 11. They are due to face additional charges in Newburyport District Court on an arraignment date that has not yet been determined.According to State Police, the undercover investigation involving Massachusetts and New Hampshire state, local and federal officials began this month. Swampscott Police were already familiar with McMahon, who was previously arrested on threats to commit a crime after he was robbed of a large amount of cash and threatened the person he suspected of stealing the cash.The undercover agent had set up a meeting with McMahon June 3 to purchase a quantity of MDMA or “Molly,” which is the powdered form of Ecstasy and can cause irreversible brain damage. On that date, Dennis showed up and referred to himself as McMahon’s employee and discussed a recent acquisition of 11 pounds of MDMA from Canada, which he said sold within two weeks. Dennis allegedly sold 8.1 grams of Ecstasy that day to the agent for $200.The agent tried to purchase more of the drug on June 11, but the duo failed to show. A warrant was issued for both, along with a search warrant of an apartment Langan and Dennis lived in at 180 Newbury St., Danvers.The following was seized at the apartment: approximately 266 grams (nearly 10 ounces) of suspected MDMA “Molly;” approximately 380 grams of marijuana; 206 Ecstasy tablets; $26,443 in cash; a Ruger .22 caliber revolver (stolen out of Maine) with 36 rounds of ammunition; nine cellular phones; two scales and one vacuum heat sealer.Dennis later told police that he was paid a weekly salary by McMahon as a drug dealer. McMahon, however, admitted that he knows of two men who “sell Molly,” but only by their first names of “Josh” and “Mike,” whom he communicated with on Facebook.