AUGUSTA, Maine — A New York man and a woman from Augusta were arrested late Friday afternoon in connection with a heroin and crack cocaine trafficking operation being conducted in and around the state’s capital city.
Reuben W. Givens, 43, of Bronx, New York, and Amy Perkins, 41, of Augusta both are charged with aggravated trafficking in heroin and cocaine, a Class A felony that carries a maximum prison term of 30 years and a fine of up to $50,000, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Cmdr. Peter Arno said Sunday in a news release.
The charge against Givens was elevated to aggravated because he has a prior history of drug-related felonies and because of the weight of the drugs seized, Arno said. Givens is being held at the Kennebec County Correctional Facility, where bail was set at $80,000 cash.
Perkins’ charges were aggravated because of the weight of the drugs seized. She is being held at Kennebec County Correctional Facility. Her bail was set at $20,000 cash, Arno said.
Arno said that the two arrests were the result of a joint investigation involving the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s South Central Task Force in Augusta, the Augusta Police Department, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police.
The arrests followed a monthlong investigation, which included the undercover purchase of heroin and cocaine base or crack, Arno said. He said Perkins and Givens were arrested after investigators executed a search warrant at 486 Riverside Drive in Augusta.
Seized during the search were more than two ounces of heroin and 19 grams of crack and approximately $1,700 in cash believed to be the proceeds of illegal drug sales, Arno said. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $20,000, he said.
The investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible, Arno said.