AUGUSTA — A 35-year-old city woman whose home was used as a repository for heroin and cocaine pleaded guilty Tuesday at the Capital Judicial Center to conspiracy to commit unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs.

Dalene Black was sentenced to a two-year prison term, with all but 100 days suspended — which she already served — and one year of probation.

In exchange for the guilty plea, charges of aggravated trafficking in heroin and cocaine were dismissed by the state. Black also forfeited her interest in $1,266 and two firearms, which were found at Black’s Mount Vernon Avenue home when police raided it Dec. 20, 2016.

The prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Katie Sibley, told Justice Michaela Murphy that Maine Drug Enforcement Agency officers had identified a group of people from Massachusetts who were trafficking cocaine and heroin in Augusta.

They identified some of the suspects, and noted that cars rented for the suspects frequently went to addresses on Mount Vernon Avenue and Bond and Water streets.

Sibley said five search warrants were executed that day and a large amount of cocaine and heroin were found in Black’s home and that a safe there contained a firearm.

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“She took a substantial step in committing the crime by opening her house to this activity,” Sibley said. The offense is dated in the period of Nov. 15 to Dec. 20, 2016.

Black was represented by attorney Thomas J. Nale.

Conditions of Black’s probation prohibit her from use or possession of illegal drugs and from excessive use of alcohol.

Sibley told the judge that while most of the others involved in the conspiracy have been sentenced, the man alleged to have been behind the conspiracy, Jaime Brea, also known as Uncle and Unc, now 51, of Augusta, still faces charges. He was indicted in February 2017 on charges of aggravated trafficking in cocaine, aggravated trafficking in heroin, and four counts of criminal forfeiture involving three firearms and two separate amounts of cash, $1,266 and $2,465, all Dec. 20, 2016; and two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated trafficking in drugs Nov. 15 to Dec. 20, 2016; and an additional count of criminal forfeiture of $960, seized Dec. 28, 2016, all in Augusta.

Sibley said a warrant for Brea’s arrest in Maine is active, charging him with violating bail conditions by allegedly leaving Maine and committing new criminal conduct in New York. She said he was arrested in New York and freed on bail on charges there and that his whereabouts are unknown.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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