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Large state police presence at local businesses; federal investigation underway

1 min read
Maine State Police vehicles outside of a former shoe factory at the corner of High Street and Cascade Leisure Park Road.

FARMINGTON – A federal investigation is underway involving several businesses across the state, including an undetermined number in Franklin County, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Kristen Setera.

“We’re conducting court-authorized activity in connection with multiple agencies and law enforcement teams at several locations across the state as part of an ongoing investigation,” Setera said.

Setera said there would likely be no further updates today.

A number of Maine State Police law enforcement and other, unmarked vehicles were seen outside of a marijuana facility on the corner of High Street and Cascade Leisure Park Road. An MSP representative said the department is assisting federal officials and otherwise declined to comment, referring questions to the FBI. Both the FBI and MSP spokespeople referred to the US Attorney’s office in Portland for further comment; calls to the US Attorney’s office were not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.

Farmington Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said that law enforcement officials requested the floor plans for Narrow Gauge Distributors, located at the corner of High Street and Cascade Leisure Park Road. Rangeley resident Luke Sirois submitted an application for that business on May 29, 2019 according to Kaiser, and was granted approval by the board of selectmen on Aug. 13, 2019.

This story will be updated.

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78 Comments

  1. dab,
    Tom Petty was a great and talented man.
    He stood for many good things and brought a lot of us a lot of entertainment. I loved the guy.
    He was an activist for personal freedom against the corrupt recording industry. (He meant it when he said “I Won’t Back Down). Admirable and Inspiring!!

    He did write that song you mentioned,,
    And he struggled with Drug Addiction mightily.
    And therfore so did those who cared about him.
    But Hey, It’s All Good Right???

    RIP Tom Petty
    And Thank You Sir.

    Everything Is Beautiful.

  2. They must’ve finally read that Canadian study that showed cannabis inhibits COVID-19. They must’ve realized the cannabis is messing up their COVID-19 plans.

  3. I wonder if it’s related to the Avon drug bust a couple days ago. Sometimes when people have a lot of money they pick up some expensive habits.

  4. I for one hope and pray this does not hurt the cannabis business in the state. As a medical marijuana user I can attest to the fact that it is a beneficial and lifesaving treatment for advanced cases of cancer. If not for that I would not be alive today. Too bad the stoners gave it a bad name.It’s medical use goes back more than a thousand years,safe and effective proven thru time.

  5. Chick D. I think this article has been updated but the original article said something about officers seen loading what appeared to be pot plants into the uhaul and dump truck. Also, I’ve seen pictures of trucks loaded with DEA evidence boxes in other papers. So….looks like they cleaned the place, for evidence.

    Jim. Thanks for clarifying that one. I always thought they needed a case and charges as probable cause to conduct a legal raid. I watch too many crime shows.

  6. Samonotalawyer

    It would not surprise me if materials were actually confiscated but the article does not say
    anything about that

    Even with a search warrant that the “raiders” probably did have they might not find what they were actually looking for as specified in the warrant with the possibly being nothing to seize

    The basic reason charges tend not to be filed pre “raid” is that the authorities
    don’t always know who to charge

    I just try a read the and digest the news and not add to it

  7. Re “probable cause” it is a requisite for the issuance of a warrant be it search/arrest whatever

  8. Looks like a lot people in Franklin county will be joining the workforce 40 hours a week and actually paying taxes!! I just hope the cops former and present that have been involved get their day in court!!

  9. To Justmyopinion: “Joining the workforce 40 hrs a week” ummm.. the professionals growing legal marijuana work above and beyond 40 hrs per week, there are no weekends, no paid vacations, no sick days, no government subsidized health insurance. These professionals contribute more to the local economy than you’ll ever give credit. However, the community will feel the burn now for sure. So many tax paying above board workers were dragged under the bus because of the corruption of a few. It’s sickening. The economy of Franklin County will suffer from this, might not recover. It’s disgusting how blind and backwards some of our community members seem to be!!

  10. I just hope this will lead to other businesses that LIE in their taxes and don’t pay their fair share and hide assets!!!

  11. In Chesterville odd that before the legalization of marijuana Franklin county was a functioning community? Welcome to going into business for yourself. Definitely not the the taxes payers job to pay for your health insurance, vacation time etc….Also the majority of the cannabis workers that I know are definitely not laboring 40 hrs + / week.They are paid in cash and avoid paying income taxes. Furthermore let’s not play dumb here the market is flooded in the state of Maine, the money is shipping it out of state to hit the black market. I’m not buying the sob story sorry !!

  12. In Chesterville, you think the economy will collapse over a handful of unskilled bud trimmers losing their jobs? You better hope the feds don’t go after the tire businesses!!!

  13. @cool your jets… An ounce of understanding before your sarcasm would be nice.

    I’d like to know why government officials aren’t required to wear a mask to work but the Governor will require facemasks/coverings for children as young as 2 to return to school.

  14. I dont think much about weed one way or another.
    I don’t enjoy the smell but it’s a minor annoyance really.

    It’s my personal “experience” that leads me to say staying sober is the ticket to all around health”.
    Ya’ll can make any assumptions about my “experience”,
    put words in my mouth I didn’t say and spin it to fit your narrative per the usual…done.

    I will say that the collective “up yours” “smirk” from supporters seems upside down at the moment. What goes around….

    Feel free to break the law anytime you want,
    No whining if there’s consequences please.

    Everything Is Beautiful.

  15. For everyone who is concerned that the feds are coming after legal weed in Maine, that really doesn’t seem to be the case here.

    So far all of the places that have been named as having been visited by police/DEA/FBI can be connected back to one individual.

    Time will tell, but it seems more like a certain big player in the game couldn’t follow the rules even after the voters decided to make it legal.

  16. Who has access to the Canadian studies ? We should be working together for the problem of Corona virus.
    Please report on that !

  17. The tax evasion issue was the easiest for the Feds to start with….just like Al Capone !!! The illegal pot ( and or other drugs ) sales charges are coming next.

    GOOD !!!

    Our communities don’t want it, so hopefully this sends a strong message !!!

  18. If tax evasion is the reason the feds are basically saying “we don’t condone what you’re doing but we want your dirty money anyway”. Maybe if the federal government made it legal it would be easier to follow the rules.

  19. @ also sayin — communities don’t want it? Seems the voting box tells an entirely different story.

  20. Amanda, the answer to your question about why law enforcement didn’t wear masks may be that they would like to recognize friend from foe in situations such as they were involved. Just a guess but why else ? Maybe because of “cowards hide behind masks,”is a belief by some.More masks are on the market and guess where they come from? You guessed it, MADE IN China.

  21. Good point Bob. But, if adults, who typically dress alike, have similar hair cuts & are trained to recognize potential danger, can’t tell the difference between friend or foe wearing masks, how can we expect little kids to know if the masked person approaching them is stranger danger?

  22. One of the things people from away often comment on is how refreshing the air is here in Maine.
    (They don’t realize we’re the stovepipe but hey…a compliment is always welcome).

    I would like to comment on how much better the air has smelled on “high” and front streets since the feds came to visit.

    Funny, the town was supposed to enforce a no smell ordinance as part of the deal for these guys to operate.
    But it seems they don’t like “rules” and stunk up the place anyways.
    Despite many complaints, the town failed to do their job enforcing it.
    So the Feds came in and did it for us.

    Ahh,, We Just Love The Air Here.

    Everything Is Beautiful.

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