MDEA agents make arrest
SMITH
Staff Writer
EASTON — A search of an Easton home by agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has resulted in the arrest of a local man.
“On the evening of June 2, agents with the MDEA executed a search warrant at the home of Leslie Smith on the Bear Trap Road in Easton. Agents seized 30 illegally possessed OxyContin tablets with a retail street value of $3,000, nearly $4,000 in cash and three handguns — one of which was loaded,” said MDEA Division Commander Darrell Crandall.
Crandall said agents also took possession of a small amount of crack cocaine, approximately one-quarter pound of marijuana, drug ledgers, scales and other evidence.
“Smith, 22, was home at the time, was arrested and taken to the Aroostook County Jail. He is charged with a Class A crime, aggravated trafficking in OxyContin. The offense is aggravated because of the handguns,” said Crandall.
Crandall said the investigation of Smith by the MDEA had been under way for less than a week prior to the search being executed and an arrest made.
“Agents were able to make a purchase of OxyContin from Smith at his residence. That was followed by the Wednesday night search warrant and subsequent arrest,” said Crandall.
The commander said any case involving weapons creates a serious situation.
“When agents find firearms that appear to be there for the protection of the drugs and those selling them, we take that seriously,” said Crandall. “One of these handguns had a magazine with the capacity to hold 31 rounds of ammunition.”
Aroostook County sheriff’s deputies and state troopers assisted MDEA agents with the search.
Smith will make an initial appearance in Superior Court in Caribou on Aug. 19.
If convicted of the Class A offense, Smith will face no less than four years in prison.
Anyone with information on drug crimes can contact the MDEA, toll free, at 800-452-6457 or go to the MDEA website: www.maine.gov/dps/mdea/drugtip.html.
GUNS, DRUGS and cash were confiscated and an arrest was made, following a recent raid of an Easton residence on the Bear Trap Road by MDEA agents.
