Police Seize $30,000 In Pills In Topsham

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested two men and seized over 4,000 pills, which police said had a street value of $30,000 on Feb. 2.  Drug agents say the men were getting the pills by mail and then selling them.

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland, Benjamin Steers, 45, of Topsham was charged with trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Oxycodone), a Class B crime and Scott Crone, 35, of Freeport was charged with Illegal Importation of Schedule Z Drugs (Valium), a Class C crime and Violation of Conditions of Release.

McCausland said on Wednesday,Feb. 2,  MDEA agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Topsham Police searched Steers’ residence on Riverview Drive in Topsham. Over 4,000 pharmaceutical pills including Oxycodone and Valium were seized along with steroids and a loaded handgun, McCausland said

The seizure followed an investigation into the illegal importation of pharmaceutical drugs through the U.S. Mail. Drug agents said the pills were ordered by Crone from foreign countries and delivered to Steer’s home. The drugs would then be sold throughout Sagadahoc and Cumberland counties, according to McCausland.

Steers was arrested at the conclusion of the search and transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset ,where he is now free on bail. Crone was located and arrested in Freeport and is at the Two Bridges Regional Jail being held without bail because of a prior domestic violence charge, McCausland said.

Also assisting in the arrests and search warrant was the U.S Postal Service and Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office. The street value of the seized pharmaceuticals is $30,000. The investigation is continuing and additional charges are likely, according to McCausland.