LEWISTON — Federal, state and city law enforcement agents initiated a series of crack cocaine and heroin arrests across the Twin Cities on Thursday, the culmination of a months-long federal investigation.

Lewiston police Chief Michael Bussiere said more than 60 officers from multiple local, state and federal agencies served search warrants at three locations and had made more than 12 arrests Thursday morning.

Police seized drugs, guns and at least one vehicle, he said.

Bussiere said the investigation was being led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, but he had been cleared to release some basic information.

“We had to make a statement (to the media),” Bussiere said. “When you kick in a bunch of doors across both cities, people are going to notice.”

Bussiere did not identify the locations of the arrests.

Officers from the DEA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Maine State Police, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Lewiston and Auburn police all worked on the arrests.

“This was a very significant operation,” Bussiere said. “This will have a significant impact on drug traffic in Lewiston-Auburn and quite a broader area.”

Bussiere declined further comment, referring all questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland. 

Those arrested began making appearances in U.S. District Court in Portland on Thursday afternoon. According to court records, they were:

— Romelly “Marcus” Dastinot, 33, of Lewiston, charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and oxycodone;

— Jacques “Face” Victor, 34 of Auburn, charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Pierre “Cookie” Dubois, 24, of Massachusetts, charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Dimitry “Jimmy” Gordon, 41, of Lewiston, charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Ashley Gleason, 22, of Auburn, charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Jean Valbrun, 26, of Lowell, Mass., charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Jonathan Duffaud, 23, of Lowell, Mass., charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine base and oxycodone;

— Pierre Azor, 32, of Lewiston, charged with possession with intent to distribute oxycodone;

— Carrie “Grandma” Buntrock, 52, of Lewiston, charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin;

— Mekayla Farley, 22, of Lewiston, charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin;

— Stephen Chadwick, 25, charged with unlawful use of a communication facility;

— Richard McKenzie, 31, charged with unlawful use of a communication facility.

staylor@sunjournal.com

Lewiston-Auburn Drug Bust