The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) arrested three people, including a New Jersey man, and executed warrants in Baileyville and Calais following a week-long investigation into a motel-based drug operation.
[RELATED: Vassalboro Man Busted with 2,000 Grams of Cocaine Following Maine DEA Investigation…]
On Monday, the MDEA executed a search warrant at a Baileyville motel following a week-long surveillance operation into suspected drug trafficking activities.
During the surveillance operation, agents allegedly witnessed activity in one room consistent with drug trafficking and applied for and received a search warrant.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., agents reportedly witnessed Katherine Smith, 36, of Baileyville leave the room and meet with an occupied vehicle.
Agents then detained Smith while she was outside, later arresting her and charging her with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs. She was transported to the Washington County Jail.
The Baileyville Police Department then stopped the vehicle Smith was in and arrested its operator, Bruce Bailey, 37, of Baileyville, on a charge of unlawful possession of cocaine base.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Department joined the Baileyville Police, the MDEA, and U.S. Border Patrol agents in executing a search warrant at the motel room.
The warrant execution reportedly led to the seizure of 64 grams of methamphetamine, along with other evidence of drug trafficking.
As part of the operation, Border Patrol agents conducted a stop at approximately 3:42 p.m. on a vehicle in Baileyville believed to be associated with trafficking activity.
Agents arrested the driver, Dim Akopian, 40, of New Jersey, and charged him with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs. He was then transported to the Washington County Jail.
Akopian was previously convicted of multiple drug charges.
Later, the MDEA applied for and received a search warrant for Smith’s apartment at 20 Monroe Street in Calais.
The Maine State Police Tactical Team joined the MDEA in executing the warrant at approximately 4:00 p.m., where they allegedly found additional evidence of drug trafficking.
It is not clear why the Border Patrol was involved or whether all the suspects were legally citizens of the U.S.
