AUGUSTA — Ten people – seven of them from Pennsylvania – were arrested by drug enforcement agents Wednesday after police conducted a search of a residence near Eastern Avenue in what police call a gang-related incident.
Seized during the search were 45 grams of heroin with an estimated street value of $10,000 and approximately 5 grams of what authorities believe to be methamphetamine, according to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
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“This investigation has also revealed that a number of those charged in connection with this investigation are members and/or affiliates of a violent street gang known as the “Almighty Black P. Stones,” according to the agency.
DEA Director Roy McKinney and Augusta Police Chief Robert Gregoire, in a joint release, expressed concern about “the prevalence of organized and often violent out of state drug trafficking organizations now operating in the State of Maine. This investigation highlights the importance of focused, inter-agency cooperation on these types of investigations.”
Arrested were six people from Stroudsburg, Pa.: Ricquell Lindo, 20, Tyshawn Mack, 21, Nathaniel Taylor, 19, Tyrone Wilkins, 23, Darvent Cummings, 22, and Kenya Evans, 20, as well as Shaquanna Khaleelah Jones, 18, of Mount Pocono, and Peter Gleason, 32, of Augusta.
They and a 17-year-old girl were charged with aggravated trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to traffic in heroin.
Ryan Minoty, 21, of Augusta was charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Information from the Maine DEA indicated the investigation was initiated Wednesday by Augusta police, and that DEA officers helped execute a warrant at 1 Penley St. in Augusta, Gleason’s residence.
Residents of the Mayfair neighborhoods and nearby streets reported seeing officers with guns drawn Wednesday afternoon.
Bail for Lindo, Mack, Williams and Cummings was set at $50,000 cash. Bail for Taylor was set at $25,000, for Gleason, Khaleelah and Evans at $10,000. Minoty’s bail was set at $1,500 unsecured and he was released from Kennebec County Jail.
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