Another man has been charged in connection with a series of raids on an alleged, large-scale marijuana trafficking operation in Lewiston-Auburn.
Tyler Poland, 31, of Auburn was arrested and charged Monday with illegal trafficking in the drug Ecstasy and marijuana.
According to the complaint unsealed Monday, the charges against Poland grew out of a series of raids by law enforcement officers on Feb. 27 on alleged marijuana operations in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Federal officials said the growing operation was purportedly part of the Maine medical marijuana program, but marijuana was sold to those not in the program and to out-of-state customers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Poland’s home on Merrow Road and a warehouse were raided, and agents seized more than 600 marijuana plants, 366 pounds of processed marijuana, hundreds of Ecstasy pills, hundreds of alprazolam pills and more than $156,000. Alprazolam is a sedative used in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Poland faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million if convicted.
Police have also arrested Richard “Stitch” Daniels, 52, of Lewiston, and Brian J. Bilodeau, 33, of Auburn, in connection with the alleged marijuana growing and selling operation. Daniels is charged with marijuana trafficking and hash oil manufacturing and Bilodeau has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Authorities said that Daniels’ garage contained a laboratory to make hash oil, which is made with marijuana. Bilodeau, a well-known amateur golfer in Maine, was arrested after authorities searched his home and found 183 pounds of marijuana, hash oil and loaded pistols and a rifle. Authorities also seized a 2016 Lamborghini Huracan, valued at $190,000, and a 2014 Nissan GT-R, valued at $60,000, saying the vehicles could have been bought with proceeds from drug trafficking or used in connection with drug trafficking or money laundering.
Federal officials have not said whether they will crack down on marijuana dealing in the wake of a decision by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to repeal an Obama Administration policy that said federal officials would not pursue marijuana possession cases in most circumstances, particularly in states that have approved medical marijuana or the recreational use of marijuana. Maine voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 1999 and in the ensuing years set up a system of caregivers and dispensaries to supply the drug.
Voters approved the recreational use of marijuana in 2016, but the state is still putting together a regulatory system to control growing and selling the drug.
In addition to the raids in Lewiston-Auburn, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank last month obtained guilty pleas from two men involved in large marijuana growing operations in Frankfort.
Frank has said that pursuing most marijuana possession cases has not been a priority in his office, although he would not say that would continue to be the case in light of Sessions’ change of policy.
Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:
emurphy@pressherald.com
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