BELFAST — A Massachusetts man was arrested after law enforcement discovered 170 grams of cocaine concealed in a vehicle in Belfast, according to a media release from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Juan Antonio Arias Almonte, 31, of Dorchester, has been charged with aggravated trafficking of schedule W drugs. 

Almonte first came to the attention of law enforcement when they received reports about a male from Massachusetts traveling to the Belfast area and selling a substantial amount of illegal narcotics. The tips were made to the MDEA Mid-coast District Task Force and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, according to the release. 

On Wednesday, July 8, agents received credible information that the suspected male was on his way to Belfast carrying a significant amount of cocaine for resale in the headliner of the vehicle. Agents then conducted surveillance in Belfast, and after receiving information that the man was in Belfast, he was located in a parking lot. 

Agents approached the man, later identified as Almonte, and conducted a search of his vehicle after verifying he was the individual they were looking for. 

The estimated street value of the recovered cocaine is approximately $17,000, according to the release. 

Almonte was transported to the Waldo County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance. His bail was set at $50,000. 

Additional arrests are anticipated in this case.

All suspects are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the State of Maine. 

If you or someone you know suffers from substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area. If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452- 6457.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com