The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) executed a high-risk search warrant at a Portland apartment building on Tuesday and arrested seven suspects allegedly running a drug enterprise from the building.
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The MDEA, working alongside the Portland Police Special Reaction Team, executed the warrant for apartment 402 at 658 Congress Street at approximately 1:30 PM and safely secured the unit without violent resistance.
Law enforcement detained and subsequently arrested the seven occupants, who were then transported to the Cumberland County Jail.
- Bruce Cavallaro, 46 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass.
- Michael Walbridge, 35 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Violation of Probation.
- Chanta Gaddist, 38 of Yarmouth, arrested for Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Violation of Bail.
- James Williams, 50 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Concealed Weapon.
- David Covington, 38 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass.
- Monica Miller, 30 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass.
- Erica Mathies, 25 of Portland, arrested for Criminal Trespass
During a search of the apartment, the MDEA discovered unspecified quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, along with other evidence of illegal drug-dealing activities.
According to the MDEA’s press release, additional charges may be filed against the suspects based on the contraband seized during the search.
Law enforcement have been aware of suspicious activity at apartment 402 for at least the past two months, responding to over a dozen calls from the building during that time.
The calls included reports of drug trafficking, threats with firearms, and repeated harassment of the other residents by those living in or frequenting apartment 402.
Those calls prompted an initial investigation by the MDEA, which determined that the primary renter, Cavallaro, along with his accomplices, was allegedly distributing drugs from the apartment.
On February 2, the building’s landlord filed for and received a writ of possession on Apt. 402 and its residents. The writ allows law enforcement to forcibly evict a tenant from a property.
Cavallaro initially refused to leave when evicted and was subsequently served with the writ of possession on February 7. He was warned that he had 48 hours to leave.
After Cavallaro and his accomplices still refused to leave, law enforcement intervened and executed the search warrant.
