Scented candles at center of drug bust

CARIBOU – Two residents were arrested earlier this month by Maine Drug Enforcement Agents after they received about six ounces of cocaine in the mail, according to information Thursday from the Maine State Police.

The cocaine was embedded in scented candles and sent via Federal Express from Brownsville, Texas, to Ronald Simon, 52, and Donna York, 40, both of Caribou. Both were charged with trafficking in cocaine and taken to Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, according to the MDEA.

The drugs were detected during shipping, and Aroostook County MDEA Supervisor Shawn Gillen said nearly two pounds of cocaine has been delivered to northern Maine in recent months using candles.

“We’re not releasing any more information because the case is ongoing,” Gillen said.

The agency has confiscated two more packages that were destined for somewhere in Aroostook County, and more arrests are expected, according to police.