From Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Commander Peter Arno:
“Last evening (1/16/2018) a Brooklyn, New York man and a second male from Ellsworth were arrested in Ellsworth following an investigation into the illegal importation and sale of Crack Cocaine in Hancock County.
As part of an on-going effort to mitigate the threat posed by out of state drug traffickers, agents from MDEA’s Downeast Task Force in Ellsworth executed a search warrant last evening on an apartment located at 153 State Street in Ellsworth.
The case involved the recent undercover purchase of suspected crack cocaine from this apartment. Since a 4-month-old child was present in the apartment at the time of the purchase, agents decided to expedite the investigation in order help protect the interests of the child and at approximately 8 pm last evening arrested Frankie O. Montero, 34 YOA of Brooklyn, New York and Vega Alta, Puerto Rico and Joshua Kane, 25 YOA of Ellsworth. Both Montero and Kane were charged with Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Crack). The charge was elevated to a Class A offense because of the presence of the minor child in the apartment at the time of the trafficking offense.
Following the arrest of Montero and Kane (which occurred in Ellsworth away from the apartment), agents executed a search warrant at the State Street address. During the arrests and subsequent search warrant, investigators seized approximately $7000 in suspected drug proceeds, along with other evidence of drug trafficking.
Both Montero and Kane were transported to the Hancock County Jail where they are currently being held. It is anticipated that both will make a court appearance later today. Mug shots are available from the jail. DHHS Child Protective Service was contacted last night regarding the child. The child and the child’s mother were present in the apartment at the time the search warrant was executed.
MDEA was assisted in this investigation by the Ellsworth Police Department. This investigation is on-going and more arrests are possible.
This investigation highlights the continuing trend of out of state drug traffickers who are coming to all parts of this state in order to traffic in these highly addictive drugs. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency stands committed to working with all partners in order to target, infiltrate and arrest individuals who come here in order to distribute drugs.”
