Multiple Teenagers Arrested as Portland PD Seizes 400 Grams of Cocaine, 6 Handguns, and $44,000 Following Drive-by Shooting

Portland Police held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce that their investigation of a drive-by shooting involving two vehicles in February has led to the discovery of a large and sophisticated drug trafficking organization involving youths aged 16 to 19 years old.

The original shooting incident occurred on Monday, Feb. 26, in the area of Forest Avenue and Clinton Street at about 3 p.m., and involved the exchange of multiple gunshots exchanged between two vehicles as they drove through nearby residential side streets, Portland Police Interim Assistant Chief Bob Martin said Tuesday.

The two vehicles were believed to be a dark colored Dodge Dart, and a dark colored Ford Explorer, Martin said.

On Wednesday Feb. 28, a patrol officer located the Dodge Dart, which appeared to have multiple bullet holes in the area of 77 Grant St., police said.

The Portland Police Special Reaction Team (SRT) executed search warrants on the vehicle and residence of the vehicle’s owner, a 17-year-old male.

Police say the 17-year-old male was in possession of the vehicle during the time of the Feb. 26 shooting.

The juvenile was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and was detained at the Long Creek Youth Development Center.

As a result of locating the second vehicle, the Ford Explorer, Martin said the department’s investigation uncovered a “significant drug trafficking network,” involving houses in Portland, Gray and New Gloucester. Those houses were being used by individuals wanted in connection to the Feb. 26 shooting, as well as “other significant criminal activity.”

On Friday, March 15, Portland Police SRT executed a high-risk search warrant at 1445 Forest Ave., resulting in the discovery of a handgun, cocaine, and other evidence of drug trafficking, Martin said.

A week later on Friday, March 22, multiple high-risk warrants were conducted simultaneously at various locations in New Gloucester and Gray by Portland Police, the Maine State Police Tactical Team, and the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force.

While executing a search warrant at 88 Skips Way in New Gloucester, a vehicle was spotted fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed, which was later located in a parking lot on Vaughan Street in Portland.

Portland Police conducted a high-risk stop on the vehicle, which led to the arrest of two 17-year-old males, who were also taken to the Long Creek Youth Development Center.

Three handguns, $2,200 in cash, and nearly a pound of cocaine were seized from the vehicle, Martin said.

The Ford Explorer involved in the Feb. 26 shooting was located at 38 Blackthorne Lane in New Gloucester.

In total, Martin continued, six handguns, a shotgun, more than 400 grams of cocaine, along with more than $44,000 were seized from the multiple searches.

“The sophistication of this drug trafficking network, and the level of violence that we have connected with this group of youthful individuals is troubling,” Martin said.

Martin said that the ages of those involved in the drug trafficking network range from 16 to 19 years old.

“We are fortunate that no innocent bystander was struck by one of the stray rounds fired between the vehicles during the rolling gun fight on February 26th,” Martin told reporters. “Over the past two years, Portland has seen a significant increase in gun violence that can be directly attributed to drug trafficking. We have seen bullets shot into the bedrooms of innocent children. We have responded to several incidents with people senselessly shot.”

“We are asking that if anyone has information regarding this or any other criminal activity to please call your local police department, he added. “We cannot stop this criminal activity unless we have help from parents and other members of the public.”