PARIS — Three people from Rumford and Peru accused of trafficking crack cocaine were indicted by an Oxford County grand jury last week. 

In April, police arrested Martin D. Lore, 28, of Rumford, Jolene K. Norris, 38, of Peru and Edward E. Towers Jr., 48, of Rumford after finding at least 13 grams of crack cocaine in a truck the three were traveling in. 

Both Lore and Norris were indicted with Class B unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs, and Class C conspiracy to commit trafficking in scheduled drugs. 

Towers is charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and Class B conspiracy to commit trafficking in scheduled drugs. 

According to an affidavit by Maine Drug Enforcement Agent Tony Milligan, Rumford police Detective James Bernard received a tip on April 3 that Towers and Norris would be going to Portland to pick up crack cocaine and heroin and bring them back to distribute in the Rumford area. 

Police followed Norris’ truck in Peru, where they found Norris, Towers and Lore. During a search of the vehicle, officers found five bags of what later tested positive to be crack cocaine, according to the affidavit.

More drugs were found in the pocket of Towers’ jacket and hidden in Lore’s socks, according to the report.

In all, police recovered more than 13 grams of the drug, the affidavit states.

The three are due to appear in Oxford County Superior Court in September. 

filed under: