Canadian arrested on Thanksgiving allegedly hiding 2,000 meth pills held without bail

BANGOR, Maine — A Canadian man is being held without bail after being arrested Thanksgiving Day at the Calais border crossing with more than 2,000 methamphetamine pills hidden in his truck, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Charles Maillet, 49, of Dieppe, New Brunswick made his first appearance Monday in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk. He agreed to be held without bail until his case is resolved but was not asked to enter a plea.

He is charged with importation of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

Maillet told officers about 6:30 a.m. Thursday that he was headed to Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday but presented a Canadian travel identification card that had been revoked, according to a press release issued by Customs and Border Protection. Maillet was referred for a secondary inspection.

After two white pills were found under the front seat, officials searched the vehicle and found four packages containing a total of 2,000 pills hidden in the car, the press release said.

“This seizure was due to the experience and attention to detail demonstrated by CBP officers working the primary inspection booths,” Assistant Area Port Director Michael Hodson said in the press release. “As a result, 2,002 methamphetamine pills have been taken off our streets and out of the hands of those trying to make a profit with criminal activity in our communities.”

If convicted, Maillet, who is being held at the Somerset County Jail in East Madison, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. He also could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10 million.