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Home ยป News ยป Top News ยป Maine DEA Makes Multiple Arrests, Including Two Dominican Nationals, in Washington County Fentanyl Investigation
Top News

Maine DEA Makes Multiple Arrests, Including Two Dominican Nationals, in Washington County Fentanyl Investigation

Steve RobinsonBy Steve RobinsonDecember 5, 2024Updated:December 5, 20248 Comments2 Mins Read6K Views
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The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) announced Thursday the arrests of six individuals on drug trafficking charges, including two foreign nationals from the Dominican Republic.

The arrests followed a coordinated execution of two search warrants early Wednesday morning, according to Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss. The operation resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms, and suspected drug proceeds.

The arrests include:

Adrian Batson (60) โ€” Charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Fentanyl; bail set at $50,000 cash.

Juancel Ledesma Pujols (20) of the Dominican Republic โ€” Charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking of Fentanyl, aggravated due to possession of a firearm during the offense; bail set at $50,000 cash.

Dioverys Roberto De La Rosa-Castillo (26) of the Dominican Republic โ€” Charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking of Fentanyl, also aggravated by firearm possession; bail set at $50,000 cash.

Bret Burke (55) of Addison โ€” Charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Fentanyl; bail set at $60,000 cash.

Michelle Wright (49) of Addison โ€” Charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule W Drugs, aggravated by prior trafficking convictions; bail set at $50,000 cash.

Yiraldis De Los Santos Valenzuela (28) of Dorchester, Massachusetts โ€” Charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking of Fentanyl, aggravated by firearm possession; bail set at $50,000 cash.

    The MDEAโ€™s Down East Task Force, with assistance from the Maine State Police Tactical Team, executed search warrants simultaneously at 369 East Side Road and 870 East Side Road in Addison.

    The warrants were the culmination of a months-long investigation involving undercover purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from both residences, according to Moss.

    During the operation at 369 East Side Road, suspects De La Rosa-Castillo and Pujols attempted to flee through a rear window but were quickly apprehended by tactical officers.

    The searches yielded over 150 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of crack cocaine, three handguns, and more than $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at $22,000.

    The operation received additional support from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Washington County Sheriffโ€™s Office, and the Maine Warden Service.

    It’s unclear from the MSP press release whether the Dominican Nationals apprehended as part of the investigation were present in the U.S. legally or have been handed over the federal immigration authorities.

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    Steve Robinson
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    Steve Robinson is the Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire. โ€ชHe can be reached by email at [email protected].

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    8 Comments
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    Knot nice
    Knot nice
    1 year ago

    Hereโ€™s an idea letโ€™s take all the people in the DR and bring them to maine and send all the conservatives in maine to the DR. In three years the DR will be the jewel of the Caribbean, while this place will still be a liberal shithole only everybody will be on drugs and eating pets.

    18
    beachmom
    beachmom
    1 year ago

    More of those “workers” Mills & Co want

    12
    Tilly McCusker
    Tilly McCusker
    1 year ago

    Glad you picked this up Steve. Now letโ€™s track the bail, the trial & sentencing. Really want to know if they will be back.

    15
    sandy
    sandy
    1 year ago

    Looks like the Governor has a problem on her hands

    6
    Doug Thomas
    Doug Thomas
    1 year ago

    This stuff is killing people punishment should fit the crime.

    10
    Waldo Otto
    Waldo Otto
    1 year ago

    Dreamers!

    3
    ME Infidel
    ME Infidel
    1 year ago

    More cultural enrichment.

    5
    Jep Jepperson
    Jep Jepperson
    1 year ago

    The usual cast of characters all thanks to Biden’s weak leadership.

    3
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