Eleven individuals were arrested Thursday in Washington County following an extensive drug trafficking investigation that culminated in coordinated raids in Roque Bluffs and Centerville.
The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA), in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies, executed search warrants on the morning of May 29 at two locations: 75 Duck Cove Road in Roque Bluffs and 43 Mitten Mountain Road in Centerville, according to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.
At the Roque Bluffs site, seven people were taken into custody, and law enforcement seized approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine along with $838 suspected to be drug proceeds.
Those arrested at Roque Bluffs include:
Kristopher Preston, 38, Roque Bluffs – Charged with Class B unlawful trafficking of cocaine base; held without bail.
Jacob Locke, 27, Machias – Charged with Class B unlawful trafficking of cocaine base; held without bail. Locke was out on pre-conviction bail for burglary and theft.
Nicholas Merchant, 35, Roque Bluffs – Charged with Class B trafficking of methamphetamine and fentanyl, plus Class E trafficking of imitation drugs. Found hiding in a dryer during the raid; held without bail. He was previously released on pre-conviction bail for drug possession violations.
Darius Montgomery, 29, South Ozone Park, NY – Charged with Class B trafficking of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base; no bail.
Andrew White, 35, New York, NY – Charged with Class B trafficking of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base; no bail.
Samantha Jo Moore, 22, Machiasport – Arrested on unrelated warrant for failure to appear in aggravated trafficking case.
Bree Landry, 27, Bangor – Arrested on unrelated warrants including failure to appear and drug possession charges.
At the Centerville property, four individuals were arrested, and authorities confiscated over 150 grams of fentanyl, 5 grams of crack cocaine, and nearly $5,000 in cash.
Those arrested at Centerville include:
Willie Merchant, 36, Centerville – Charged with Class B trafficking of fentanyl; no bail.
Nestor Andres Mejia Mateo, 25, Dominican Republic – Charged with Class A aggravated trafficking of fentanyl due to the quantity seized; no bail.
Samantha Roberts – Arrested on unrelated warrant for failure to appear on forgery charges.
Additionally, Nakia Albee, 25, of Jonesport, was arrested during a traffic stop near the Centerville location. Initially detained on unrelated charges, Albee was later charged with trafficking cocaine base after officers found over 22 grams in the vehicle.
Authorities estimate the seized drugs have a street value exceeding $15,000. Investigations continue, and more arrests or charges may be forthcoming.
The operation was led by the MDEA’s Downeast Task Force with assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, U.S. DEA, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Border Patrol, and Machias Police Department.
