Approximately 24 bank accounts in connection to the investigation were frozen and continue to be investigated by the Mercer County Prosecutors Economic Crime Unit. The charge of conspiring to possess, use and carry firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison because a machinegun was involved in the offense, five years of supervised release and fine of up to $250,000. toddler dies after being struck by falling tree, World leaders call for international pandemic treaty, Couples recreation business cultivates 'slice of heaven' in Maine highlands, 2 teenagers charged after a man in Calais was shot on a walking trail, Fine-dining restaurant in northern Maine adds bed and breakfast, Nor'easter could dump a foot of snow on parts of Maine Saturday, Maine photographer snaps shots of bobcat thats blind in one eye, Residents in one western Maine town look to curb Poland Springs appetite for water, Maine should be on every birders bucket list, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. According to Prosecutor Onofri, the total retail value of the confiscated drugs is $228,000. 11 Charged PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - Leann Johnson 44, and her son, Jeremiah Therrien, 23, both of Presque Isle, were arrested on Monday in Presque Isle following several months of investigation into the illicit sale of the highly addictive drug, crystal methamphetamine. According to Prosecutor Onofri, the initial investigation focused on the alleged drug activities of H-Block, and through informant information, controlled buys, surveillances and intelligence, authorities were able to obtain and execute more than 40 warrants of individuals, vehicles and locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley said this case was a testament to the success of our partnership with the N.J. State Police, which continues to help our city at a time when we need it the most.. Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal made the announcement on Tuesday. Browse the newest Portland . Inside, Arno said officers located two people from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Also arrested was Austin Kleffman, 28, of Trenton. Last summer, when Minier-Tejada and an unnamed co-conspirator were stopped in a vehicle in Maine en route to Massachusetts, police found six firearms in a hidden compartment in the vehicle, including a Sig Sauer pistol that matches the appearance of a gun Minier-Tejada can be seen shooting in one of the videos. The following evidence was seized according to the police: Veronica Allende, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice commended the State Police for their operation, and said her department will continue to work with them to keep the community safe. Arrest warrants for the three defendants were obtained in October 2020 and search warrants were also executed at several locations, which led to the recovery of several weapons. Trenton drug bust nets $8,000 worth of heroin. AUBURN, Maine . All three have been charged with drug trafficking, while Minier-Tejada and Kleffman also have been charged with possession of firearms in support of the alleged drug trafficking scheme. Belleville, ON, Canada / Quinte News. Andre Terry, 33, of Ypsilanti, Michigan is charged with class A aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine). To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. TRENTON, N.J. Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson, and Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri today announced that a six-month, multi-jurisdictional investigation of narcotics distribution and violent crime in the Mercer County area has culminated with the arrest of 18 individuals and the seizure of approximately 1,000 grams of heroin, 1,000 grams of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of marijuana, 11 guns, six vehicles and more than $22,000 in cash. Your support is even more critical during rapidly changing times, when communication is paramount. Tradewinds sold to Hannaford, Lawrences announce retirement, Investigation leads to arrest of two women and seizure of nearly $100K in fentanyl, Deer Isle man arrested Wednesday night after Blue Hill search, Man charged after allegedly taking a truck to rescue his own, Former golf course property to be conserved. Minier-Tejadas case was moved to federal court in Massachusetts, while Kleffmans initial appearance was continued to an unspecified date. The MDEA said the group is believed to be responsible for the distribution of large amounts of drugs throughout Hancock and Penobscot Counties. BOSTON A New York man was arrested yesterday in connection with allegedly trafficking drugs and firearms. A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors. Invalid password or account does not exist. DASHANE SEAMSTER, age 23, of Greene, Maine was charged with Failure to Submit to Arrest or Detention (Class E) and Criminal Trespass (Class D). It initiated with the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Mercer County Prosecutors Economic Crime Unit, and received support and resources from 16 additional agencies including: 21-04 ###, Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central, Bucks County District Attorneys Office (Pa.), The College of New Jersey Police Department. See Offers. Terry was denied bail due to the fact that he was already out on bail at the time this offense, according to Arno. This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. Thirteen people have been arrested on drug charges in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts after multiple agencies conducted a months-long drug trafficking investigation. Mar 2, 2017. The informant told police they handed Barrows the $50 and Magee handed over the bag of crack. We will continue to take a holistic and collaborative approach to public safety in our Capital City, said Grewal. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. As alleged in the charging documents, Minier-Tejada and Minier conspired to obtain large quantities of controlled substances, including cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl and methamphetamine from Massachusetts suppliers and distribute them to contacts in Maine, who then distributed the controlled substances on a retail level. He said it later tested positive for cocaine base, with a weight of 0.5 grams. According to the FBI, Minier-Tejada and Minier often provided drugs to Kleffman up front with the understanding that she would repay them later at a pre-agreed price. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It is not clear from court documents whether the guns described in the affidavit were obtained in Maine or somewhere else. 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Armani Minier-Tejada, a/k/a Shotz a/k/a Gustavo, 22, of Salem; Miguel Minier, 55, of Lynn; and Shelby Kleffman, 31, of Trenton, Maine, were charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances including cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl and methamphetamine. Holden police say they pulled over a car for a routine traffic stop on Sunday and discovered a gun, cash, heroin . David Foot. Updated: 2:23 PM EDT July 30, 2021. Agents were able to determine that this heroin was part of a larger amount, estimated to be approximately 750 bags, brought into Mainefor resale in Hancock and Penobscot counties, McCausland said. Meanwhile, we are also engaging in community outreach like the virtual town hall we held in Trenton in June to discuss violence reduction strategies. If you opt in above we use this information to send related content. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The Watermans were both charged by Criminal Summons with a court date of November 5, 2021 in Waldo County Superior Court. Officers seized a "large quantity" of analogue drugs, similar to Xanax and Adderall, some of which were suspected to contain fentanyl, police said. We allege that Shawn Davis was a major heroin supplier who, along with Tracy Edwards and the others arrested in this operation, conspired to distribute heroin throughout the City of Trenton, said Attorney General Porrino. WWJ is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI's Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The investigation continued into 2021 and last week, search warrants were executed at locations in Trenton and Ewing, New Jersey, and Bristol and Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Over the past five months, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force conducted an investigation into the illegal trafficking of drugs throughout Waldo County. Police arrested Golden on a charge of Class A aggravated trafficking in heroin. The State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit said it determined that a group of armed gang members was gathering at a residence on Tyrell Avenue, Trenton this past month to plan a series of retaliatory shootings. During this investigation, MDEA agents assigned to the Aroostook Task Force in Houlton, Maine, gathered evidence of the groups .