8 Arrested in Heroin and Crack Cocaine Bust

Eight people were arrested in connection with a heroin and crack cocaine operation in Kennebec County.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office arrested eight people as part of the ongoing investigation into the trend of out-of-state drug dealers bringing illegal drugs to Maine. As a result of this investigation, an operation in a Vassalboro home has been shut down. Officials say the operation was responsible for the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine out of a home at 38 Whitehouse Road .

During this case, drug agents and deputies have allegedly made undercover purchases of both these drugs from people inside the residence. As a result, a search warrant was executed there on Friday afternoon.

Seized in the bust were an estimated 28 grams of heroin, 65 grams of cocaine base (also known as 'crack'), 25 grams of cocaine HCL (powdered cocaine), 15 grams of methamphetamine, and 12 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. The total street value of the drugs seized was in excess of $15,000. In addition, three handguns, approximately $2,000 in suspected drug proceeds, and other evidence of drug trafficking was seized.

The following people have been charged, thus far, as a result of this investigation:

• Richard 'Stash' Baker, age 34 of New York, NY. Baker has been charged with two counts of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack) and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The charge has been aggravated due to the presence of a firearm, the amount of drugs seized, and the fact that Baker has a prior drug felony conviction. Bail was set at $60,000 cash.
• Joseph 'Joe Daddy' Gagnon, age 59 of Vassalboro. Gagnon has been charged with two counts of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack) and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The charge has been aggravated due to the presence of a firearm, the amount of drugs seized, and the fact that Gagnon has a prior drug felony conviction. Bail was set at $30,000 cash.
• Tayshaun Gibson, age 25 of Albany, NY. Gibson is charged with one count of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack). The charge was aggravated due to the presence of a firearm and the amount of drugs seized. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.
• Alijah Jenkins, age 22 of Troy, NY. Jenkins is charged with one count of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack). The charge was aggravated due to the presence of a firearm and the amount of drugs seized. Bail was set at $40,000 cash.
• Rosemary Rivera, age 24 of Troy, NY. Rivera is charged with one count of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack). The charge was aggravated due to the presence of a firearm and the amount of drugs seized. Bail was set at $40,000 cash.
• Jocelyn Jones, age 28 of China, Maine. Jones is charged with one count of Class 'A' Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin and crack) and Possession of Schedule W Drugs. The trafficking charge was aggravated due to the presence of a firearm and the amount of drugs seized. Bail was set at $30,000 cash.
• Austin Bond, age 25 of Jefferson, Maine. Bond is charged with one count of Possession of Schedule W Drugs (Oxycodone). Bail was set at $5,000 cash.
• Kendra Vigue, age 34 of Gardiner, Maine. Vigue was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on drug trafficking charges.

All eight suspects are being held at the Kennebec County Jail. The MDEA and Kennebec County Sheriff's Office were assisted at the execution of the search warrant by Vassalboro PD and the Maine State Police. MDEA officials will continue to investigate this case and say more arrests are possible.

Anyone with information about this case or the illegal sale of drugs in Maine is urged to call the MDEA office closest to you or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.