Portland police arrest several teens as part of major drug, shooting investigation

PORTLAND (WGME) – Portland police say they have uncovered a major drug operation involving guns and tens of thousands of dollars in cash.

Everyone arrested in the operation so far has been a teenager.

“This level of drugs and the number of guns, you know, we don't see that usually in adults,” Portland Police Major Robert Martin said. “I mean this is really, you know, an anomaly for these kids to be this organized have this much money.”

The investigation started with a shooting in Portland last month.

Police say shots were fired between people in two vehicles as they drove between Forest Avenue and Stevens Avenue in Portland on February 26.

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Two days later, police located one of the vehicles involved at 77 Grant Street. They arrested a 17-year-old boy, charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. He was taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center.

Police then worked to identify the owner of the second vehicle involved. That led to police uncovering the “significant drug trafficking network” connected to houses in Portland, Gray and New Gloucester.

Throughout the month of March, police conducted multiple high-risk search warrants at those properties, with help from the Maine State Police Tactical Team and the FBI Southern Maine Gang Task Force.

“We had almost 100 law enforcement officers involved in the search,” Martin said.

When conducting a search on Skips Way in New Gloucester, a vehicle was seen fleeing the scene. Police later located the vehicle in Portland and arrested two more 17-year-old boys. Police found firearms, cash, and cocaine inside the vehicle. The teens were brought to Long Creek.

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In total, police seized six handguns, a shotgun, more than 400 grams of cocaine and $44,000. Police say they are looking into pursuing federal charges.

“The crimes they're committing are dangerous,” Martin said. “They put every one of your lives in danger.”

Portland police say over the past two years, the city has seen a significant increase in gun violence. They directly attribute it to drug trafficking.

Police say this is an ongoing investigation. They are asking anyone with information to contact the Portland Police Department.