SKOWHEGAN, Maine — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a Massachusetts man and a woman from Skowhegan on Tuesday as the result of a months-long investigation that led to to the seizure of a significant amount of heroin before it could be distributed in central Maine, according to authorities.
Kirsten Libby, 26, and Michael D. Figueroa, 40, of Methuen, Massachusetts, each were charged with felony aggravated trafficking in heroin, MDEA Cmdr. Peter Arno stated in a news release. If convicted, Libby and Figueroa face prison sentences of up to 30 years and fines of up to $50,000.
Both suspects remained at Somerset County Jail on Wednesday, where Figueroa is being held on $100,000 bail and Libby on $50,000 bail.
The trafficking charges were elevated to Class A offenses because of the weight of the heroin seized from them — about 40 grams with a street value of about $5,500, Arno said.
Arno said that over the past several months, agents from MDEA’s South Central Task Force have been working on an investigation, along with the Skowhegan Police Department, into the importation and distribution of heroin in the Skowhegan area.
As part of that investigation, agents conducted undercover purchases of heroin from people connected to the case. Eventually, investigators learned that Libby was the local leader of a heroin ring and that she was traveling to Massachusetts to obtain heroin for resale in Somerset County, Arno said.
On Tuesday morning, MDEA agents stopped Libby and her vehicle near Skowhegan after learning that she was on a return trip from Massachusetts and was believed to be carrying drugs.
Armed with a search warrant, the agents searched Libby, her vehicle and a male passenger later identified as Figueroa, and found heroin, Arno said.
Arno said the investigation continues and that more arrests are likely.
In addition to Skowhegan police, MDEA was assisted by the Maine State Police and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking in their community is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or the closest MDEA task force office. Call 800-452-6457 to leave a message on MDEA’s tip line.