In late March, Portland Police announced that as a result of their investigation into a February drive-by shootout, they had uncovered a large and sophisticated drug trafficking organization involving teenagers aged 16 to 19 years old operating out of homes in Portland, New Gloucester and Gray, Maine.
The original drive-by shooting occurred during the afternoon Monday, Feb. 26, in the area of Forest Avenue and Clinton Street and involved multiple gunshots exchanged between two vehicles as they drove through nearby residential side streets.
Law enforcement has said that subsequent searches of the vehicles involved in the shootout, as well as of houses believed to have been used as part of the drug trafficking network, resulted in the arrest of three 17-year-old males, and the seizure of multiple handguns, a shotgun, nearly half a kilogram of cocaine, and more than $45,000.
Describing the “level of sophistication” of the teenage drug trafficking network in a March 26 press conference, Portland Police Interim Assistant Chief Bob Martin said “they’re playing Grand Theft Auto, for real.”
“It’s not a game, it’s real life, it’s really dangerous,” Martin said. “And I really don’t think they fully understand the consequences of it.”
During the press conference, Martin also hinted at the fact that the 17-year-olds arrested as part of their investigation would only be detained at the Long Creek Youth Development Center for a short time, saying “I’m thankful that these kids were taken off the street, but being juveniles, it’s probably going to be short term — you know, for them.”
Despite saying that the individuals involved in the drug trafficking ring were aged 16 to 19, making at least some of those involved an adult and not a juvenile, as well as the seriousness of the alleged criminal behavior, the Portland Police Department did not release the identities of the any of the suspects arrested in the course of their investigation.
It is not clear at this time whether or not any adults have been arrested and charged in relation to the drug trafficking network.
Throughout March, Portland Police, alongside the Maine State Police Tactical Team and agents from the FBI Southern Maine Gang Task Force executed high-risk search warrants at the following properties in connection to their investigation into the drug trafficking network:
- 1445 Forest Avenue, Portland;
- 86-88 Skips Way, New Gloucester;
- 84-86 Highview Drive, New Gloucester;
- 130 Targett Road, New Gloucester;
- 38 Blackthorne Lane, Gray.
A source familiar with the New Gloucester properties searched by police, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Maine Wire that the homes were rented by individuals from Maine using federal Section 8 housing vouchers.
The source told the Maine Wire that after the individuals rented the properties, several young men moved in and began selling drugs from the homes, with cars frequently.
Copies of the search warrants for the residences on Targett Road, Highview Drive and Skips Way in New Gloucester were obtained by the Maine Wire.
Named as the subjects of the search warrant at 130 Targett Rd. in New Gloucester is 19-year-old Amir Gul-Mohammad and his brother Nor Gul-Mohammad, who turned 18 on April 29.
It is unclear — and Portland PD has declined to say — whether the individuals targeted in the search warrant were arrested.
According to a copy of Amir Gul-Mohammad’s State of Maine criminal history record, the 19-year-old targeted as part of the New Gloucester search warrant has been arrested and charged with multiple drug trafficking and possession felonies in recent months.
In October 2023, the elder Gul-Mohammad was arrested by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) in Portland and indicted on two counts of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, as well as unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of fentanyl powder, all felony offenses.
A subsequent arrest of Gul-Mohammad by MDEA in Portland in early November 2023 led to his indictment on Jan. 8, 2024, on two counts of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of cocaine base (crack), refusing to submit to arrest and criminal forfeiture.
Gul-Mohammad was arrested for the third time on April 6, 2024, on the charge of violating a condition of release, a misdemeanor.
Arrest records from the Portland Police Department show Gul-Mohammad was arrested in the area of Washington Avenue in Portland on April 6 on charges of violating a condition of release, operating a vehicle without a license, failing to notify of motor vehicle accident, and an unspecified arrest warrant from a local agency.
Additionally, the address of Gul-Mohammad’s residence was listed at the time of his November 2023 arrest on multiple drug trafficking and possession counts as 38 Blackthorne Ln. in Gray, another one of the houses which was searched by police in March in connection to the drug trafficking network.
Sentencing information for Gul-Mohammad’s criminal cases was not available in his criminal history records.
Gul-Mohammad, according to his criminal history record, is a U.S. citizen.
Portland Police spokesperson Brad Nadeau issued the following statement to the Maine Wire in response to questions regarding why the identities of those arrested in connection to the drug trafficking network or targeted by search warrants was not released:
We hosted a press conference on March 26th where we revealed a significant amount of information about our operations in the Gray/New Gloucester area. This remains an ongoing investigation and we will not be releasing any further details at this time.
As far as the identities of those involved, it’s against the law for us to provide information on juveniles unless they are adjudicated for certain serious crimes – regardless of race, nationality etc…
i didnt see where it says if they are U.S. citizens?!
We are experiencing the demise a red state turned blue because of Democrat leadership. They have infected the state and now the damage is probably irreversible. Democrats are a poison to communities and family culture. Where are the parents of these fine young immigrants?
Both busted last year in Boston, where they struck a transit officer.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/22/metro/two-maine-teens-arrested-after-transit-police-officer-struck-with-car-during-pursuit-boston-officials-say/
mills had no comment, just another stud for me
Gul-Mohammad was arrested for the third time on April 6, 2024… then quickly released with NO CASH BAIL by Cumberland County, George Soros backed Jackie Satorius.
With names like that they must come from well established Maine families. Of course there are no pics nor mention of skin color. Are these two Mohammedans upstanding members of the “religion of peace”? Well at least none of this type of thing could have anything to do with open borders.
This is exactly what is meant by Pathological Altruism.
Those troglodytes shouldn’t even be in Maine.
You did this to yourselves.