Jared Colby, left, and Nicholas Goodwin
WATERVILLE — Police arrested a man hiding in a closet with a considerable amount of cocaine and fentanyl Thursday night while responding to a routine patrol call.
Two Waterville police officers responded to a call just before 9 p.m. reporting a disturbance at a third-floor apartment on Elm Street, according to Deputy Chief Bill Bonney. Once they were in the apartment, the occupants admitted they had had a disagreement.
Bonney said the officers observed strange behavior and began an investigation once they received permission to search the apartment. The officers found Jared Colby, 26, hiding in a closet. Colby does not live at that residence.
“When they opened the door, he was holding a bag of white powder that was a cutting agent,” Bonney said.
The officers questioned Colby and learned he was required to comply with bail conditions that included submitting to search and testing based on suspicion.
Bonney said Colby showed signs of drug use. The officers found over an ounce of fentanyl and just under half an ounce of cocaine on him.
Fentanyl is an opioid often used for pain medication, but in recent times it has become a deadly agent, especially when other drugs, such as cocaine are laced with it.
Bonney said Colby had been convicted of possession of methamphetamine in July 2014, and was out on bail after having been charged with violating conditions of release, operating under the influence and assault.
Police on Thursday arrested Colby for violating conditions of release and on two charges of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs — one for the fentanyl and one for the cocaine. He was taken to the Kennebec County Jail, where he remains. Bail was set at $10,000 cash. His court date is June 11.
“Traditionally, larger seizures will come from our drug unit,” Bonney said, explaining that they typically require longer investigations. It’s not usual for patrol officers to make such a large drug seizure, but he said it’s a good thing they got that much fentanyl off the streets.
Also arrested at the apartment was Nicholas Goodwin, 33, who lives at the apartment. He was arrested on two warrants, but he was not at the jail Friday afternoon and did not have to post bail.
Colin Ellis — 861-9253
cellis@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @colinoellis
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