Increased use of narcotics feared in County

HOULTON – The arrest of three men this month for possession of narcotics has agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency concerned that the use of such drugs is on the increase in southern Aroostook County.

“It’s getting to be more and more, and we’re hearing it more on the streets,” said Darrell O. Crandall, task force supervisor for the MDEA’s Houlton Field Office, on Monday.

“It’s not tough to see a trend starting here,” hecontinued. “It’s definitely increasing.”

Crandall said the prevalence of strong painkillers such as OxyContin – a drug now found in Washington County – is slowly making its way to the southern part of The County.

In addition to the three men recently arrested, Crandall said there also have been several cases where people have attempted to illegally obtain drugs from local drugstores for either personal use or resale. There are also more cases of narcotics possession.

On Monday, Mitchell Ross, 20, of Houlton was arrested and charged with trafficking in scheduled drugs and violation of bail.

The arrest was the result of a search of Ross’ apartment on Highland Avenue in Houlton, which resulted in the seizure of prescription narcotics, marijuana allegedly packaged for resale and other unspecified evidence.

Ross was free on bail on a previous charge of marijuana cultivation when he was arrested on Monday. No date has been set for a court appearance. If convicted on the new charges, Ross faces up to one year in jail.

Last week, MDEA agents and Houlton police arrested Jesse F. Taylor, 63, and charged him with trafficking in scheduled drugs. A search of his Smyrna Street home turned up approximately 119 dosage units of prescription drugs, alleged drug records and nearly $3,000 allegedly obtained from drug sales.

Taylor also has been charged with prohibited possession of a firearm by a felon. He is free on bail awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

On November 8, MDEA agents and local police arrested Dwayne “Davy” Andersen, 38, of Houlton. A search of his Military Street residence uncovered prescription narcotics, less than a pound of marijuana, scales and cash alleged to be proceeds from drug sales. A shotgun also was seized.

Anderson, who has a prior felony conviction for assault, was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and prohibited possession of a firearm.

He is currently free on bail awaiting trial. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

On November 4, George Peaslee, 21, of Bridgewater was arrested after police stopped his 1987 Camaro on Washburn Street in Houlton.

A search of the vehicle netted marijuana alleedly packaged for retail sale, as well as more than $1,500 in alleged proceeds from drug sales.

Peaslee’s car also was seized because of its use in the transport of illegal drugs.

A subsequent search of Peaslee’s residence on Boundary Line Road in Bridgewater resulted in the discovery of marijuana, scales, records and a shotgun.

Peaslee has been charged with trafficking in scheduled drugs and violation of bail conditions.

Crandall said the arrests of the men were the result of continued cooperation between the MDEA and state, county and local law enforcement agencies to deal with the problem of wholesale drug distribution in the region.

“We’re going to do what we can to get on top of it and stay on top of it,” he said.