2 New Brunswick men face marijuana charges

BANGOR – Detention hearings are scheduled today in U.S. District Court for two Canadian men being held on federal drug charges at the Piscataquis County Jail.

Steve G. Bouchard, 27, of St. Joseph, New Brunswick, and Leo Roussel, 41, of St. Jacques, New Brunswick, have been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The cases are related, according to federal documents.

The two were arrested on Thursday after being stopped separately by Maine State Police troopers for speeding while driving south on Route 1 in Aroostook County.

According to court documents, the men were stopped at approximately 5:45 p.m. while traveling between 36 and 38 mph in a 30-mph zone.

Bouchard and Roussel consented to searches of their vehicles, according to the affidavit signed by Daniel Sanchez, a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, based in Houlton.

Trooper Brian Harris allegedly found three duffel bags containing marijuana in Bouchard’s vehicle, while Trooper Chad Fuller allegedly found four duffel bags containing marijuana in Roussel’s vehicle.

Agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency assisted in searching the vehicles, according to the affidavit.

If convicted, each man faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million and could be forbidden from entering the United States again.