Maine woman charged after 'significant' amount of meth, guns seized from home

Shawn P. Sullivan, Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read
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SANFORD, Maine — A local woman is facing drug-trafficking charges following her arrest during a traffic stop on Main Street.

Authorities arrested Brandi Richmond, 30, of Bateman Street in Sanford, on May 24 and charged her with aggravated trafficking in illegal drugs. According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, authorities seized from Richmond a “significant” amount of methamphetamine and firearms.

Authorities brought Richmond to the York County Jail in Alfred, where bail was set at $2,500 cash. A jail official stated that Richmond was scheduled to make a first appearance in court with an appointed lawyer on May 26.

Authorities seized these guns and drugs from a Sanford woman, who is now facing trafficking charges, on May 24, 2023.
Authorities seized these guns and drugs from a Sanford woman, who is now facing trafficking charges, on May 24, 2023.

The arrest was the latest development in a two-month investigation in which the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Sanford Police Department had looked into suspected drug trafficking where Richmond lived at 43 Bateman St.

“During the investigation agents conducted undercover purchases of illegal drugs from Richmond at the residence,” the state’s Department of Public Safety said in a news release.

As part of a larger investigation in Sanford, agents obtained an arrest warrant for Richmond charging two counts of unlawful trafficking in Schedule W drugs, a Class B offense.

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According to police, Richmond was arrested without incident during a traffic stop on Main Street in Sanford at approximately 4 p.m. She allegedly was found in possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and $2,500 in suspected drug proceeds, according to police.

Following the arrest, authorities executed the search warrant at the Bateman Street residence.

“Due to the known presence of firearms at the residence during the undercover purchases, MDEA requested the assistance of the Southern Maine Response Team and Cumberland County Emergency Services Unit to safely make the initial entry into the Bateman residence,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said.

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Once the residence was secured, agents searched and seized approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and other items associated with drug trafficking, according to police.

“Five firearms were located throughout the residence, three of which were loaded and in proximity of the seized drugs,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said.

More charges are expected, given the additional methamphetamine and firearms that were seized, according to police.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency urges anyone with information about this investigation, or about the illegal sales of drugs anywhere, to text MDEA at TIP411 (847411) or call its tipline at 1-800-452-6457.

Also, if you suffer with substance-use disorder, the MDEA urges you to call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sanford, Maine woman charged with drug-trafficking; meth, guns seized