SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A monthlong investigation into drug dealing in the city led to a Friday evening drug raid at a Rossetti Avenue home that resulted in the seizure of five different drugs and the arrest of the suspected dealer.
Brandon York, 30, was arrested shortly after the 5 p.m. drug raid at his home, and was charged with Class B trafficking in scheduled drugs, specifically cocaine, MDA, LSD and ketamine.
“Agents seized in excess of 150 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of MDA, 490 grams of marijuana, 300 grams of ketamine, 150 doses of LSD and $17,000 in drug proceeds,” Stephen McCausland, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman, said in a press release. “The estimated street value of the seized drugs [over the last month] is $25,000.”
York was taken to the Cumberland County Jail, where bail was set at $500, McCausland said.
For the past month agents from the MDEA Cumberland District Task Force, along with officers of the Portland and South Portland Police Departments, have been watching York.
During his arrest York was found in possession of suspected ketamine, LSD, which is an extremely potent hallucinogen, and MDA, an analog of Ecstasy. The subsequent search of his home found the other drugs, as well as drug packaging material and $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
“Ketamine is a general anesthetic used for human and veterinary purposes,” the MDEA press release about York’s arrest states. “Abuse of ketamine can lead to powerful visual hallucinations. It is also known as the ‘date rape’ drug due to its strong side effects of confusion and/or amnesia.”
The investigation into York’s criminal activity is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Those who see suspected drug activity should contact their local police, the local MDEA office or call the MDEA’s tip-line at 800-452-6457.