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Man Arrested for Cocaine Trafficking in Aroostook County


ST. AGATHA, Maine (WGAN)  State Police say a St. Agatha man has been arrested on drug charges.

Police say on Friday, Maine Drug Enforcement agents, Aroostook Sheriff’s Deputies, State Troopers, Border Patrol Agents and Agents of Homeland Security Investigations, searched the home of 37-year-old Eric Blanchette on Bouchard Road.

Police say Blanchette refused to open the door, so agents forced their way into the home.

Blanchette was charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine.  The charges were aggravated because Blanchette was previously convicted of trafficking cocaine in 2008.

Police say Blanchette broke out of custody in the driveway and tried to escape, but was captured again after a brief foot chase.  An added escape charge was added on.

Police say Blanchette was taken to Aroostook County Jail without further incident.  He was released Saturday on $15,000 bail.

Police say if convicted of one of the trafficking charges, Blanchette faces a minimum four-year prison sentence with a maximum allowable sentence of 30 years.

Police say the arrest followed an investigation that started in January with information provided by the Fort Kent Police Department.

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