VAN BUREN, Maine — A Kennebunkport man was arrested and is facing multiple criminal charges following a traffic stop in Van Buren.
Shortly after midnight on Sunday Aroostook Deputy Sheriff Nathan Chisholm conducted a motor vehicle stop on Main Street in the town.
One of the vehicle’s occupants, Luis Martinez, 48, of Kennebunkport, allegedly attempted to conceal contraband, after which a struggle ensued, Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen said.
Police arrested Martinez and charged him with aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, and refusing to submit to arrest.
Martinez was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, with bail set at $25,000 cash or $100,000 surety.
Following the arrest, police obtained a warrant and conducted a search of a Presque Isle motel early Sunday morning.
Deputies confiscated 1.5 grams of cocaine and 15.72 ounces of methamphetamine, which has a conservative street value of approximately $42,000, Gillen said.
Deputies also confiscated approximately $27,745 in suspected drug money.
An individual arrived at the jail early Monday morning with $25,060 in cash to post bail for Martinez. Police confiscated the bail money as suspected drug proceeds.
The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Jazz served during the investigation. The U.S. Border Patrol, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Presque Isle and Houlton police departments and Maine State Police assisted.
