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SWAT Team Used for Westbrook Drug Trafficking Arrest


A 41-year-old Westbrook man faces felony drug trafficking charges after officers specially trained for violence were brought in to make his arrest Thursday.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says they were tipped off about illegal drug sales at 43 Rochester Street.

They say agents viewed activity that appeared to be illegal drug sales at what they say were “all hours of the day and night” in an apartment at the same address.

Officers say they conducted an ongoing investigation in which agents made several several undercover purchases of illegal drugs from Christopher Ciprian at his Rochester Street apartment.

Police say they obtained a “high risk” search warrant and brought in the specially trained SWAT team like Cumberland County Emergency Services Unit to arrest  Ciprian at the apartment at 9:30 am Thursday.

Officers say the heavy gear was used because of the possibility Ciprian was armed and to minimize the risk to Rochester Street residents and law enforcement personnel.

Ciprian now faces charges of Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Fentanyl) (2) Counts, Class B and Felony Possession of Schedule Drugs (Fentanyl) (2) Counts, Class C

His bail is set at $10,000 cash.

Westbrook Police assisted with Ciprian’s arrest.

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