Portland Drug Busts Nets $190K in Cocaine, Pot, and Fentanyl

Men from Portland and New York are facing felony drug trafficking charges in southern Maine.

The charges were the result of an investigation into the trafficking of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. Arrested this week were:

• Zahmel Z. McRae, 31 of Queens, New York. Charged with 6 counts of felony trafficking in schedule drugs. (cocaine and crack cocaine)
• Kristian D. Adams, 35 of Portland, Maine. Charged with aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs. (cocaine and crack cocaine)

Get our free mobile app

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency officials say undercover agents allegedly made purchases of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl from the duo in the Greater Portland area. The investigation was a joint effort conducted by the MDEA's Cumberland District Task Force and the Portland Police Crime Reduction Unit.

McRae was arrested on Monday evening on Stevens Avenue. At the time of his arrest, officials found a bag of drugs that McRae tried to throw away. The bag contained cocaine and crack cocaine, that had allegedly been packaged for sale. He was taken to the Cumberland County Jail by Portland Police, where bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Drug agents executed a search warrant in a second floor unit at 16 Rudman Road in Portland. Officials say this is where McRae and Adams stored and packaged the drugs. As a result of that search, agents seized more than 3 1/2 pounds of cocaine, 1/2 pound of crack cocaine, 1/2 pound of fentanyl, 6 pounds of black-market marijuana, and approximately $89,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The approximate street value of the seized drugs is $190,000.

Adams was located operating a Honda SUV in Portland, despite the fact that his license had been suspended. Maine State Police tried to stop the vehicle, and deployed a spike mat when Adams refused to pull over on the Maine Turnpike. He was charged with felony drug trafficking, as well as operating a motor vehicle after suspension, and failing to stop for police. Adams was taken to the Cumberland County Jail, where bail was set at $20,000 cash.

Both men are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Wednesday.

Anyone with information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in this state are encouraged to contact the MDEA office nearest to them, or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.