MDEA agents crack down on heroin possession
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency have made their second heroin-related arrest in central Aroostook County in less than a month.
“A heroin investigation conducted by MDEA’s Aroostook County Task Force (ACTF) has resulted in another heroin seizure in Aroostook, this time in Presque Isle. So far, a Brockton, Mass., man and a woman from Presque Isle have been charged,” said Commander Peter Arno, of the MDEA.
Arno said as part of an ongoing heroin investigation being conducted by investigators assigned to the ACTF office in Houlton, a probation search was conducted May 6 at a residence occupied by Katie Ramus, located on St. John St. in Presque Isle.
“With Ramus at the time of the search was Norberto Colon, of Brockton, Mass. Agents learned that Colon was out on bail and also subject to search as a condition of that bail,” said Arno.
During a subsequent search, agents located nearly 13 grams of heroin with a street value of $5,000. Arno indicated the investigation has revealed that the heroin was likely brought into Aroostook from out of state by Colon.
“Following the bail search, Colon, 31, was charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (heroin) and violation of conditions of release. Ramus was charged with Class C possession of schedule D drugs (heroin) and a probation violation,” Arno said.
Both Colon and Ramus were transported to the Aroostook County Jail where they were booked on these charges. They are both set for status conferences in Caribou Superior Court on Aug. 21. As of presstime, neither had made bail.
Maine probation officers assisted MDEA investigators during this investigation, which is ongoing. More arrests are possible.
The Presque Isle arrest comes about two weeks after Ignacio D. Roque, 37, of Florida, was charged with felony trafficking in heroin, following his arrest in Fort Fairfield as the result of a joint investigation between the Fort Fairfield Police Department and the MDEA. The heroin seized during that investigation was considered to be the most significant seizure of heroin made in Aroostook to date.
Acting on information provided by Chief Bill Campbell, Fort Fairfield’s public safety director, MDEA agents from the ACTF opened an investigation into the sale of heroin from a residence located in town. As part of that investigation, agents worked extensively with members of the FFPD, gathering evidence in order to strengthen this case. This included the undercover purchase of the drug.
“The morning of April 23, MDEA investigators, FFPD officers, Aroostook sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Border Patrol agents executed a search warrant on a residence located inside the Border View Apartments in Fort Fairfield. In the apartment, agents located over two ounces of bulk, unpackaged heroin. The street value of this amount of heroin exceeds $20,000,” said Arno, noting other evidence of drug trafficking was also seized during the search.
Arno said Roque had been living at the residence — without the authorization of the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority — since his release from a Miami prison in February of this year. Roque has an extensive criminal history, which includes previous drug offenses. At the time of his arrest, Roque was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from the state of Florida for parole violations.
Roque was transported to the ACJ, where he was charged with Class A trafficking in schedule W drugs (heroin). Bail was set at $20,000 cash. Roque is set for a status conference in Caribou Superior Court on July 16. No court dates were available for Colon and Ramus at presstime.
“Once again, this investigation highlights the significant impact that out-of-state drug traffickers are having on the state of Maine. Their presence is being felt in the most urban areas of our state, and now in some of the most rural,” said Arno.
“MDEA will continue to work tirelessly with all of our other law enforcement counterparts in doing our part to keep these ruthless traffickers out of our communities and away from our children. We cannot do it alone and need the assistance, such as was provided by Chief Campbell and his staff. This investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely,” said Arno.
Persons with information concerning drug trafficking in their community are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or the closest MDEA task force office. They may also call MDEA and leave a message on their tip line at 800-452-6457.
