In what is becoming a growing trend, another resident of New York has been arrested, accused of selling heroin in Maine.

According to Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, agents assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency's South Central Task Force in Augusta have been working for several month with Gardiner Police on an investigation involving the distribution of heroin by Tyrone Sanders. That investigation included a number of undercover purchases of the drug from Sanders, including one in a school zone.

MDEA agents, Gardiner Police, and Deputies from the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office searched two residences in Gardiner on Tuesday, one at 148 Brunswick Avenue, and the other at 106 Highland Avenue. Investigators believed Sanders was selling heroin from both locations. The result of the searches was the seizure of $1,500 in suspected drug proceeds, other evidence of drug trafficking, and a small amount of cocaine.

Sanders was taken into custody at the Brunswick Avenue location as he was attempting to destroy evidence. Charged in this case so far are:

  • Tyrone Sanders, 27, of Bronx, New York, charged with four counts of Class B trafficking in heroin, one count of Class A aggravated trafficking in heroin for the sale in the school zone, three counts of violating conditions of release, and one count of falsifying physical evidence.
  • Nicole Stump, 29, of Gardiner, charged with violating her prior bail conditions as agents suspected she had recently used drugs

Both Sanders and Stump were taken to the Kennebec County Jail where bail on Sanders was set at $50,000 cash. Stump will have to appear before a judge before bail is set. Officials say the investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely.

If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in Maine, you're urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency office closest to you or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.

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