BIDDEFORD–SACO — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested three men in Biddeford-Saco in what is one of the largest crack cocaine seizures ever in Maine. Seized was two pounds of crack, a substantial amount of heroin, six handguns and $27,000 in cash. The street value of the drugs is $125,000.

In custody are, Eric Adams, 38, of Waterbury, Conn., and Obrian Barrett, 29, and Todd Milliken, 35, both of Biddeford. All are charged with aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Drugs (Heroin-Crack), Class A, according to a new release from the Maine Office of Public Safety.

For the past year, agents from the MDEA York District Task Force, the FBI Southern Maine Gang Task Force and the New England HIDTA (high intensity drug trafficking area) conducted an investigation into a large scale heroin and crack cocaine distribution network operating in greater Biddeford-Saco. Drug agents say Adams provided heroin and crack cocaine he obtained out of state to Barrett and Milliken as well as others, which was then sold throughout Biddeford-Saco.
As part of the investigation, agents conducted undercover purchases of heroin and crack from the three men.

On Jan. 6, agents arrested Adams and Milliken in a room at the Hampton Inn in Saco, which was rented to Barrett. At the time of his arrest Milliken was in possession of a loaded handgun, crack cocaine and heroin. Agents conducted a search of the room and seized approximately 260 grams (520 doses) of crack cocaine, 40 grams (400 doses) of heroin and $27,000 of suspected drug proceeds. Adams and Milliken were transported to the York County Jail. Bail was set at $150,000 cash for each.

Thursday afternoon Barrett was arrested by Biddeford Police after the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped on Boulder Way in Biddeford. Barrett was transported to the York County Jail without incident. His bail was also set at $150,000 cash.

Agents then searched a storage unit at Atlantic Mini Storage on Route 1 in Arundel. The storage unit was suspected of being used to process and store large quantities of the drugs. Seized from the storage unit was approximately 800 grams (1,600 doses) of crack cocaine, 52 grams of heroin (520 doses) and five handguns.

Also assisting in the investigation were representatives from the U.S. Marshal's Southern Maine Violent Crime Task Force, the Biddeford Police Department's Street Crime Unit, and the Saco and Old Orchard Beach Police Departments.

The investigation is continuing, additional arrests are anticipated.

The arrests and seizures is another example of out of state drug distributors transporting large amounts of drugs into Maine and selling them through local dealers, the release said. In addition, the handguns seized were likely to be distributed to criminal elements in other states, the release said.