Search warrants yield drug charges, arrests, possible overdose

CARTHAGE – Local and state police executed search warrants at two residences Thursday morning, resulting in felony drug charges against a local man and his son. Later, the younger man was transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital due to a possible drug overdose.

According to Chief Deputy Steven Lowell, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel, along with members of the Maine State Police and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, simultaneously searched residences on the Winter Hill Road and Tainter Corner Road. Two men, Russell Smith, 51, and Anthony Smith, 30, both of Carthage, were charged with felony trafficking charges.

The elder Smith was charged with unlawful trafficking and unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs, namely heroin. The younger Smith, Russell Smith’s son, was charged with unlawful trafficking in Schedule W drugs, also heroin, as well as unlawful possession of a Schedule X drug, namely Ketamine. Lowell identified the ketamine as being a horse tranquilizer. Anthony Smith was also charged with falsifying physical evidence, a misdemeanor.

Both Smiths were transported to Franklin County Detention Center. After he was booked, Anthony Smith showed signs of a possible drug overdose, according to Lowell. He was subsequently transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital.