PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and Portland Police Department have arrested a man charged with aggravated drug trafficking following a three-month investigation.
Police arrested Charles Aboda, 27, of Portland, on two counts of unlawful aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs (fentanyl), a Class A crime, and unlawful trafficking in schedule drugs (cocaine), a Class B crime, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Public Safety and MDEA.
Officers arrested Aboda Tuesday afternoon in the Bayside area of Portland and seized approximately 3 ounces of fentanyl, cocaine, and $1,000 in suspected drug proceeds, according to the release.
“Information was received that ABODA was selling large quantities of illegal drugs as well as making smaller, street level sales to local drug users," the release said. "During the investigation, agents conducted undercover purchases of illegal drugs directly from ABODA, to include fentanyl."
Aboda is currently being held at the Cumberland County Jail on $15,000 cash bail.
In addition to the arrest, agents raided a residence in the West End of Portland and said they found 2 ounces of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds, according to the release.
Police are not releasing the address of the residence because the investigation is ongoing, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss wrote in an email.
As the investigation continues, additional charges against Aboda will be reviewed by the state Attorney General’s office.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force also assisted in this investigation.
“The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the State of Maine,” the release stated.
