BANGOR, Maine — A New York City man suspected of selling heroin and crack cocaine from local motels was arrested late Thursday, officials said.
Juan Rivera, 40, is facing a charge of aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs, a Class A felony, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency commander Peter Arno said.
Rivera is the third New York City man to be arrested on suspicion of dealing heroin in the Bangor area this week.
Arno said that Rivera isn’t believed to be connected with Carlos and Lazaro Ramirez, who were arrested on Tuesday.
On Thursday, drug investigators received information indicating that individuals were distributing heroin from a Bangor motel room, according to Arno, and drug agents were able to obtain a search warrant for Rivera’s room after gathering necessary evidence.
Inside the room, 40 grams of heroin, an ounce of crack and nearly $10,000 in cash were found, Arno said. The street value of the drugs was estimated at $25,000. Rivera was not in the room at the time of the search warrant as he had been arrested by Bangor police on a traffic violation a few hours prior to the search, Arno added.
Rivera is being held at the Penobscot County Jail, and he was expected to appear before a judge Friday. Additional arrests are likely as the investigation continues, Arno said.
Bangor and state police assisted drug agents with the investigation.
