Local man found in possession of bath salts
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Bath salts continue to be a problem for local and state law enforcement officers, with one of the latest arrests being made in the Star City.
“Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agents throughout Maine continue to encounter incoming shipments of synthetic cathinones, commonly referred to as ‘bath salts.’ Most of these shipments originate in China and arrive through the U.S. Postal Service and commercial parcel services,” said MDEA Division Commander Darrell Crandall.
Given the volume of these shipments, Crandall said significant MDEA resources are being expended to disrupt them, as well as to investigate those individuals who import these dangerous drugs.
MDEA agents found their latest case within a block of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
“On Thursday (March 28), agents and Presque Isle police officers executed a search warrant at 10 Haines Street in Presque Isle. The warrant was executed after Joshua Dunn, 25, took possession of packages containing what MDEA agents believed to be synthetic cathinones, specifically a-PVP,” said Crandall.
According to Crandall, while conducting surveillance, MDEA agents observed Dunn accept the two packages and almost immediately executed a search warrant that they had obtained earlier in the day.
“During the search of Dunn’s residence, agents and officers seized the two packages and their contents. The combined weight of the drugs from both packages is just under 400 grams, or nearly a pound,” said Crandall, noting agents also seized $900 in cash.
Dunn was on bail for the Class B felony trafficking in synthetic hallucinogens after his arrest by MDEA agents on Dec. 12, 2012.
“Dunn is now charged with a second count of Class B felony trafficking synthetic hallucinogens and violation of condition of release. He remains at the Aroostook County Jail,” said Crandall.
No court date was available at presstime.
Information on drug crimes may be reported to MDEA by calling 800-452-6457, visiting MDEA’s website at www.maine.gov/dps/mdea or at MDEA’s MyPD smartphone application for iPhone and Android.
