YOUNG-DUMONT
A Wilton man was arrested by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency after getting off a train in downtown Brunswick on Tuesday with 1,200 doses of the powerful opioid Fentanyl.
Tuesday at about 4:30 p.m., MDEA agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force and Brunswick Police Department arrested James Young- Dumont, 32, as he arrived from Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Amtrak’s Downeaster.
Young- Dumont allegedly attempted to run from officers as he got off the train but was quickly taken into custody, according to a press release.
Agents located 120 grams — or 1,200 doses — of Fentanyl in Young-Dumont’s pocket, which has a street value of $20,000.
Agents had information that Young-Dumont frequently traveled to Haverhill on the train to purchase heroin/Fentanyl in bulk, then return to Maine where he would repackage the drugs for resale.
Young-Dumont was charged with aggravated trafficking in a Scheduled W drug — Fentanyl, a Class A crime punishable by up to 30 years incarceration and a $50,000 fine.
He was also charged on a warrant of arrest for failure to appear in court, as well as violation of bail.
According to the press release, Young-Dumont was wanted for failing to appear in Ellsworth court to answer a charge of possessing drugs. He had been free on bail on that charge.
Young-Dumont was also on probation in Massachusetts for a previous drug charge, and had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Massachusetts for probation violation.
Young-Dumont was transported to the Cumberland County Jail where no bail was set due to his bail violation.
MDEA agents also were assisted by railroad police.
Opioid abuse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent. Typically used to treat patients with severe pain, Fentanyl’s effects resemble those of heroin. High doses of opioids, especially those as potent as Fentanyl, can stop one from breathing.
A recent Associated Press report indicated “a very powerful opioid gives those who use it recreationally a high that is more intense than heroin’s but wears off more quickly.”
According to a press release from the office of Rep. Chellie Pingree regarding Maine’s ongoing opioid crisis, a record 378 Mainers died of drug overdoses in 2016 — more than one person a day on average. Of that number, the vast majority — 313 — was caused by heroin, Fentanyl and prescription opiates.
In calling for more federal funding to fight the nationwide opioid epidemic, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote, “Every day, 91 Americans die from an opioid overdose, and despite the tireless work of many in our communities, this public health epidemic is only getting worse.”
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