South Paris Man Charged With Drug Trafficking

A South Paris man has been charged with aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs for distributing Fentanyl, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety.

Troy Masterman, 40, of South Paris, was also charged with violation of administrative release, said public safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

As part of an ongoing investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl throughout the Oxford Hills area, Maine drug agents, local police and sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at a home on Christian Ridge Road in South Paris Monday afternoon.

Approximately 14 grams (140 doses) of suspected fentanyl, scales, drug ledgers and other items were seized from the home, the release said.

The approximate street value of the fentanyl is $2,500.

Masterman was arrested and transported to the Oxford County Jail. Bail has not been set because of Masterman's violation of an administrative release from an unrelated charge.

Drug agents say fentanyl is more potent than heroin and is often mixed with heroin to create more product.

Users sometimes buy fentanyl thinking they're purchasing heroin, and that increases the chances of a drug overdose, the release said.

The investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the Oxford Hills area is ongoing, and drug agents expect to make additional arrests.