BELFAST — A Hartford, Conn., man was indicted on five drug-related charges stemming from his Sept. 9 arrest. Alexander A. Cruz, 20, was found to be in possession of more than 1,800 baggies of heroin and almost 13 grams of cocaine when intercepted by members of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, according to court documents. 

Although Cruz wasn’t arrested until Sept. 12, agents with the Midcoast District Task Force division of the MDEA had initiated a larger investigation, and several days prior had arrested two other individuals on drug-related charges.

They had been arrested in Waldo County after being found in the possession of 528 baggies of heroin, according to court documents. 

One reportedly told agents that they had been buying a variety of drugs from Cruz since 2013, including heroin, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine, typically traveling to Connecticut or Massachusetts to buy the drug.

During the investigation, MDEA learned that Cruz was charging approximately $5 per bag of heroin, though the typical cost of a bag of heroin in Waldo County is noted as being between $25-30.

Cruz was arrested Sept. 12 in Belfast after being positively identified while behind the wheel of his rented vehicle. After agents made contact with Cruz he reportedly invoked his right to counsel and declined to make any additional statement.

A search of the vehicle revealed a blue bag found to contain heroin and cocaine. It was later discovered the bag held 1,830 individual bags of heroin. Also found in the bag were 12.9 grams of suspected cocaine, and $1,409.09 was seized from Cruz and the vehicle.

A passenger in the vehicle was interviewed at the scene and released without charge.

Cruz has been indicted on charges of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, aggravated importation of drugs, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. 

He was released from custody Oct. 10, on $25,000 secured cash bail.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com