New Bedford Gym Owner Arrested In Federal Drug Bust

The owner of a New Bedford boxing gym is one of nine people facing charges in connection with a federal drug bust.

ABC6 News reports that Sharik Mendes, the owner of HEART Gym in New Bedford's North End, is facing charges of distributing heroin throughout Bristol County.

Mendes allegedly brought in large quantities of heroin from at least two suppliers in Providence and is said to have employed another man arrested, Tyson Depina,  to distribute drugs on his behalf.

ABC6 cited court papers that say Depina was providing Mendes with $1,000 to $2,000 a day.

Despite his arrest, HEART Gym remained open on Thursday, but police believe Mendes was  "co-mingling the drug proceeds to pay for the gym."

Mendes was in federal court in Boston on Thursday. The charges against him carry up to a 20-year penalty.

Mendes and Depina were both charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

Several others were arrested on conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine including, Luis Lopez, a/k/a “Juan Gonzalez,” 43, of Tiverton, R.I. and Fall River; Chindy Diaz, 38, of New Bedford, Tyson Britto, a/k/a “Peanut,” 31, of Fall River; and Israel Santiago, a/k/a “Reysito,” 39, of Fall River.