Mars Hill resident charged with drug trafficking
MARS HILL, Maine — A local woman has been charged with drug trafficking, following a lengthy investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
“As the result of a several-month investigation in central Aroostook County, the MDEA has charged a 44-year-old Mars Hill woman with felony trafficking in the synthetic drug APVP, also known on the streets as ‘bath salts,’” said Commander Peter Arno, of the MDEA.
Arno said as part of this investigation, the MDEA, along with sheriff’s deputies from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, executed a warrant on the residence of Leda Giggey, located on Benjamin Street in Mars Hill on the afternoon of Friday, April 3.
“This investigation involved the undercover purchase of APVP from Giggey’s residence. Seized during the search was a small amount of APVP, numerous prescription pills — to include oxycodone — approximately $1,500 in suspected drug proceeds, along with other evidence of illicit drug trafficking,” said Arno.
Following the search, Giggey was charged with Class B trafficking in schedule W drugs (APVP/bath salts) and Class C unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (oxycodone). She was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where she remains in custody pending the ability to make bail.
Arno said the prevalence of the synthetic drug, commonly known as “bath salts” or “monkey dust,” remains high in parts of Aroostook County.
“As such, investigators into the local sources of supply of this extremely dangerous drug are a priority of the MDEA and our law enforcement partners in Aroostook County,” he said.
With regard to this investigation, Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell Crandall — former MDEA director — said, “I continue to be very proud of the great work being done by MDEA, and I know that our neighbors here in The County value the impact their efforts are having on our communities.”
The ACSO currently assigns three officers on a full-time basis to the MDEA.
Also assisting in this investigation was the Department of Homeland Security investigators (HSI). This investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible, according to Arno.
If you have information concerning drug trafficking in your community, you are urged to contact your local law enforcement agency or the closest MDEA task force office. You may also call MDEA and leave a message on their tip line at 1-800-452-6457.
