PORTLAND — Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says two New York men have been charged with selling heroin in Portland. Arrested were:

Luchone Elzey (24) of the Bronx, New York for, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Drugs (Heroin) Class A and Jacquil Turner (21) of the Bronx, New York for, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Drugs (Heroin) Class A.

For the past two months, agents from the MDEA Cumberland District Task Force conducted an investigation into the distribution of heroin by a group from New York City. The investigation revealed members of the group would travel from New York to Portland weekly with large amounts of heroin. They would then sell heroin from a number of locations throughout Portland, typically local apartments where the residents would receive heroin or money as payment for letting the group use their home. Wednesday evening, the apartment at 409 Cumberland Avenue, apartment 405 was searched. This was after agents conducted a number of undercover purchases of heroin from the apartment.

Agents located Elzey and Turner inside and the two were arrested without incident. Agents seized approximately 8 ounces (238 grams) of heroin, equivalent to 4,760 individual doses. $4,000 in cash and a number of items indicative of drug trafficking. The street value of the heroin was $35,000.

Elzey and Turner were transported to the Cumberland County Jail where bail was set at $50,000 cash for Elzey and $25,000 cash for Turner.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges against the apartment renter and others involved are likely. Assisting in the investigation and arrests were officers of the Portland Police Department Crime Reduction Unit and members of the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force.