An Ellsworth man and a New Yorker face charges for allegedly trafficking crack cocaine.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says the arrests were the result of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency's continued efforts to target out-of-state drug dealers coming to Maine. As part of the investigation, undercover agents allegedly purchased crack cocaine from an apartment at 153 State Street in Ellsworth. The arrests were expedited because there was a 4-month old child in the home at the time of the purchase and agents wanted to get the child out of danger.

Arrested Tuesday night were:

  • Frankie O. Montero, 34, of Brooklyn, New York and Vega Alta, Puerto Rico
  • Joshua Kane, 25, of Ellsworth

Both men are charged with class A aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine. The charge was elevated because of the presence of the baby in the apartment, which is rented by Kane and the mother of the child. Officials searched the apartment and seized about $7,000 in suspected drug proceeds, along with other evidence of drug trafficking.

Montero's bail was set at $25,000, while Kane is being held on $15,000 bail. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services was contacted because of the baby. MDEA was assisted by Ellsworth Police.

Officials say the investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible.

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