Three Arrested In Washington County Heroin Bust

A man from Connecticut and two Washington County residents were arrested Tuesday night after drug agents searched a Perry Home and found more than $50,000 worth of the drug.

As a result of the investigation, Felix Gracia, 37, of Waterbury, Conn., was charged with Class “A” Aggravated Trafficking in heroin. Tara J. Townsend, 35, and James Ritchie, 59, face the same charge. Bail was set at $100,000 for each.

Gracia was also wanted on outstanding warrants out of the State of Connecticut.

These charges were aggravated due to the amount of heroin seized . All are scheduled to make an initial court appearance today in Machias and were being held at the Washington County Jail.

The arrests came as the result of a six-month investigation, during which undercover agents purchased heroin form individuals inside the home.

There were three children, ages 11, 6 and 2, at the home when it was searched and they have been turned over to the custody of DHHS.