Four People Facing Drug Charges in Waterville

Waterville police have arrested four people in connection with a drug trafficking ring in that city. In a press release today, Chief Charles Rumsey said the operation was responsible for transportation and sale of crack cocaine in Waterville.

On the afternoon of October 31st, police arrested Sammiya Butts, 24 of the Bronx, New York, and Timothy Hogan, 35 of Waterville. The two were arrested at Walmart after detectives tracked them there following Butts' arrival in Waterville by bus from New York City. Upon Butts' arrest, detectives seized 70 individually packaged pieces of crack cocaine, weighing a total of 1.37 ounces, with a street value of approximately $5,600. The drugs were located in a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot that Butts had been riding in.

Immediately following the arrests of Butts and Hogan, police executed a search warrant at 21B Chaplin Street, the residence of Timothy Hogan and Elizabeth O'Neil, 20. The search warrant was issued after an investigation that led police to believe that the drugs were being sold from that residence. During the search, police seized a usable amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Several children were at the home during the search and so police have contacted the Department of Health and Human Services. Following the search, O'Neil was also arrested for charges related to drug trafficking.

On Thursday, November 1st, Mark Hilliard, 31, of the Bronx, New York was charged with crimes related to drug trafficking. Hilliard is currently being held at the Kennebec County Jail on drug trafficking charges.

In that press release, Chief Charles Rumsey said, "These arrests are a stark reminder of the challenges facing our community with regard to the illicit sale of drugs, and are evidence of the high level of professionalism and motivation possessed by our department's sworn officers."