A joint investigation between MDEA’s Aroostook County Task Force and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, has resulted in the arrest of three individuals from Waterbury, Connecticut who were attempting to smuggle a large amount of crack cocaine into Aroostook County for resale.

For the past several weeks, MDEA investigators have been working alongside Aroostook Sheriff’s Deputies on an investigation involving a Waterbury, Connecticut drug trafficking organization attempting to establish a presence in Aroostook County in order to distribute crack cocaine and heroin. Earlier this week, investigators learned that members of this group would be traveling to Southern Aroostook County from Connecticut with a large quantity of drugs for redistribution in the county.

The car the group was traveling in was identified yesterday afternoon as it travelled north along I-95 in Penobscot County. The car was subsequently stopped by Aroostook Sheriff’s Deputies and state troopers as it exited the interstate in Sherman, Maine.

The car was found to be occupied by a male and two (2) female passengers. The investigation revealed that one of the females in the vehicle had concealed the drugs in a body cavity. The female was taken to a local emergency room where approximately 70 grams of crack cocaine was removed by hospital staff. The street value of the drugs seized exceeds $10,000.

As a result of this investigation, the following people have been charged with Class “A” Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (crack):

  1. Emilio Gonell-Poventud- 32 YOA of Waterbury, Connecticut
  2. Katherine Boisvert- 39 YOA of Waterbury, Connecticut
  3. Michelleliz Pena- 19 YOA of Waterbuyry, Connecticut

All were transported to the Aroostook County Jail where bail was set at $10,000 cash on each. Mug shots of the trio are available from the jail.

Once again, this case highlights the threat posed by out of state drug traffickers who are entering this state in an attempt to establish their illegal trade. The threat is not just confined to urban areas. These traffickers are motivated by the huge profits they are making off the backs of Maine citizens.

If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in this state, you are urged to contact the MDEA office closest to you or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.

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