Island Resident Arrested & Charged With Trafficking Cocaine

William Sarnie, 62, of Nantucket was one of two individuals arrested on Thursday after a several months long investigation by the Cape & Island’s District Attorney’s office and Barnstable Police Department following a fatal overdose in Barnstable County in November. Sarnie is facing numerous charges including conspiracy to violate drug law and trafficking cocaine in an amount of 200 grams or more.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois and Barnstable Police Chief Jeanne Challies made the announcement Friday afternoon that Sarnie, along with 56 year old Andre Silvia of Wareham, were arrested and taken into custody for illegal drug activity following an investigation that spanned multiple towns.

“This investigation began during the month of November 2025 when members of the State Police Detective Unit, assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, investigated a fatal overdose in Barnstable County,” the District Attorney’s office said in a release. “The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by cocaine intoxication. Through investigative efforts, Andre Silvia was identified as the main supplier of the cocaine. Throughout the investigation, William Sarnie was also tied to Silvia through an investigation by the Barnstable Police Department."

Sarnie and Silvia's arrests were preceded by and helped made possible following the Barnstable Police Department's arrest of 62-year-old island resident Edward Gillispie on January 8th as he was preparing to transport a kilogram of cocaine from Hyannis to Nantucket. Following Gillespie’s arrest, the BPD executed a search warrant for Gillespie’s Nantucket residence. With the support of the Nantucket Police Detective Unit, United States Coast Guard and resident Cape Cod DEA office, a search of Gillespie’s home yielded additional quantities of drugs, evidence of narcotics trafficking, and approximately $10,000 in US currency. 

Gillespie's arrest led to a deeper investigation and investigators obtaining more search warrants, including a warrant to search Sarnie's home.

On Thursday, Sarnie’s home was searched by members of the Barnstable Police Department, Cape & Islands State Police Detective Unit, and Nantucket Police Department. Silvia’s home was searched by members of the Cape & Island’s State Police Detective Unit, Barnstable Police Department, DEA Cape Cod Taskforce, Wareham Police Department, Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit, Sandwich Police Department, Nantucket Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Service Section .

“As a result of the execution of the search warrants both William Sarnie and Andre Silvia were arrested and held without bail pending their arraignments,” the DA’s office said. “William Sarnie is charged with Conspiracy to violate drug law felony, trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, and distribution of Class B, Cocaine.”

Sarnie was arraigned in the Barnstable District Court on Friday and had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf. Prosecutors requested Sarnie be held without bail pending a dangerous hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17^th in the Barnstable District Court.

Silvia was charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, and conspiracy to violate drug law (felony). Silvia will be arraigned in the Barnstable District Court at a later date, and was also charged in Wareham District Court for trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine and other drug related charges, the DA’s office said.

“District Attorney Rob Galibois and Chief (Jeanne) Challies would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the many agencies and partners whose collaboration and dedication made this investigation successful,” the two parties said in a joint statement. “The coordinated efforts, professionalism, and commitment demonstrated throughout this process reflect the strength of our collective mission to protect and serve our community.”

The Current reached out to the Nantucket Police Department on Thursday in the aftermath of the search prior to the announcement made by the DA's office and Barnstable Police Department, but did not receive a reply.