MDEA effort leads to arrest of N.Y. man Cocaine trafficking operation foiled after 7-month probe

HOULTON – A New York man with connections to Maine remains in custody in New York following his arrest on federal drug charges filed in Maine.

On Dec. 5, a federal grand jury in Maine secretly indicted Luis A. Perez, 26, of Bronx, N.Y., on a charge of intent to distribute 11 pounds or more of cocaine between 1994 and July 2000. A second charge alleges that on April 10, Perez intentionally and knowingly distributed a quantity of cocaine.

The indictment, which had been sealed pending completion of the investigation, was unsealed Thursday.

Darrell O. Crandall, task force supervisor for the Houlton Field Office of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, said in a press release issued late Thursday that MDEA agents began a seven-month investigation last April into cocaine sales in the central Aroostook County area, that ultimately led to Perez’ arrest.

The effort was prompted by an increased flow of cocaine into the region, Crandall said. In April, search warrants were executed at two apartments on State Street in Presque Isle, and as a result, several ounces of cocaine were seized and three people were arrested.

Gregory Violette, 30, of Presque Isle, was charged with trafficking in cocaine, while Paul Devost, 30, and Shawn Henthorne, age unknown, both of Presque Isle, were charged with possession of cocaine.

The investigation continued and agents eventually were able to identify Perez as the source of the cocaine that was discovered in Presque Isle.

Additional investigations after the searches eventually took MDEA agents in early November to New York City. There, they met with federal drug agents and prosecutors, at which time the decision was made to seek an arrest warrant against Perez.

On Nov. 8, the MDEA filed an affidavit and complaint in U.S. District Court in Bangor on the charges against Perez, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Federal Drug Enforcement Agency agents assigned to the White Plains, N.Y., office subsequently arrested Perez, at the request of the MDEA.

Crandall said because of the quantity of cocaine involved and the fact that Perez has a criminal history in New York involving past drug convictions, he faces up to life in prison if convicted on the possession to distribute charge.

Two other men Maine men were arrested in connection with the investigation, Crandall said. Jeffrey A. Doucette, 33, of Caribou and Michael G. Hornick, 40, of Tremont and formerly of Caribou, were arrested several months ago and charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

Both men have pleaded guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court and are awaiting sentencing, Crandall said.