CUSHING — The Maine Drug Enforcement Friday arrested two New York residents, two from Cushing and one from Rockland after an investigation into illegal distribution of heroin through the Midcoast.

Arrested were New York residents Daeshawn McDonald, 24, of the Bronx and Daniel Williams, 23, of Manhattan. Both were charged with aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (heroin), Class A, and trafficking in prison contraband. Bail was set at $75,000 cash.

McDonald and Williams were additionally charged with trafficking in prison contraband after it was allegedly found the two were concealing additional heroin within a body cavity.

From Maine, agents arrested Anthony Langille, 46, of Cushing for aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (heroin), Class A. His bail set at $5,000 cash; Christine Hunt, 36, of Cushing for trafficking in schedule W drugs (heroin), Class B, with bail set at $1,500 unsecured; and Jacob Ortiz 20, of Rockland, for possession of schedule W drugs (suboxone), Class D. Ortiz' bail set at $150 cash.

At approximately 2 p.m. Friday, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force executed a search warrant at 18 Cross Road in Cushing. The search warrant was executed after agents conducted an investigation into the distribution of heroin from the residence, according to a press release issued by the MDEA on its Facebook page.

Langille and Hunt, who live at the Cross Road residence, allegedly distributed heroin as well as provided a location for their alleged heroin supply source to reside. McDonald and Williams are alleged to have transported large quantities of heroin from New York.

Agents said the heroin was then repackaged for sale and distributed throughout the Midcoast region by the group.

Seized during the search warrant and allegedly in the inviduals' possession, was more than 40 grams of heroin, packaging materials and approximately $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The approximate street value of the seized heroin is $15,000.

All five charged and arrested were transported to the Knox County Jail without incident.

Assisting in the investigation and execution of the search warrant were officers from the Thomaston and Rockland Police departments as well as the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
According to the MDEA, agents and officers coordinated their efforts in identifying and disrupting the distribution of heroin throughout the local region by this group. Their investigation is ongoing.

The MDEA Mid-Coast District Task Force serves Knox, Waldo, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.