Six people have been arrested on a variety of drug-related charges as part of an investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and local police departments.

The arrests followed separate Friday raids on residences on Mayflower Road and Second Avenue in Augusta.

According to a press release from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, 14 grams of crack cocaine and 1.5 grams of heroin were seized “along with other evidence of drug trafficking.”

All six of the accused on Monday made their initial court appearance via teleconference in Waterville District Court.

Rahiem Brent, 31, of New York, who is charged with three class A counts of aggravated trafficking in heroin and cocaine, and Kathy Tupper, 50, of Augusta, who is charged with four class A counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine and heroin, were both ordered held at the Kennebec County jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

Tupper was on probation at the time of her arrest after she was found guilty in January of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs stemming from an arrest in February 2013. Tupper last month was sentenced to four years in prison with all but six months suspended and two years’ probation.

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Brent has a previous conviction on felony drug charges in New York.

Each of the aggravated trafficking charges carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Eric Anderson, 44, and Nancy Rodriques, 18, both of Augusta, are both charged with two class B counts of trafficking in heroin and cocaine. Anderson was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 surety or $5,000 cash bail. Rodriques, who also is charged with a class C charge of heroin possession, was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail or $300 cash with a Maine Pretrial contract.

Dominique Kirk, 27, of Augusta, was arrested on a charge of violating conditions of release that prohibited her from using illegal drugs or alcohol after testing positive for cocaine use. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 days in Kennebec County jail. There is a pending drug trafficking case against Kirk from a previous arrest, according to court documents.

Josh Carey, 41, of Augusta, was arrested on a charge of violating conditions of release, but that charge was dismissed in court when it was determined that Carey was not on conditions at the time of his arrest. Carey was ordered back to jail on a probation hold.

Drug enforcement agents said the investigation is ongoing and it is likely to result in more arrests.

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The arrests follow several months of investigation by Maine DEA during which undercover agents purchased heroin and crack at two Augusta homes. That investigation culminated in a pair of search warrants executed Friday evening at homes at 88 Second Ave. and on Mayflower Road, the address of which was not listed in court documents. Augusta and Maine State Police, as well as the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement, assisted with those searches.

An affidavit filed by Maine Drug Enforcement Agent Kelly Hooper indicated Brent and Rodriques were found in the bathroom during the Second Avenue search attempting to flush contraband down a toilet. Hooper said both were found in possession of cocaine and heroin. Agents also found packaging, money and scales nearby.

Rodriques’ attorney, Steven Bourget, said in court that Rodriques was there to pick up her 10-week-old puppy. He said Rodriques has no criminal record.

“She was there to get her dog when the police walked in,” Bourget said.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @CraigCrosby4


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