The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has arrested seven people for their roles in trafficking heroin and crack cocaine in Lincoln and Knox counties .

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland, the seven suspects were arrested on Feb. 10 after a month-long investigation by MDEA, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Waldoboro Police.

  • Arrested were:
    Chas Echols, 24,  of Rochester, NY, for aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, Class A.
  • Rashad Newsome, 24, of Rochester, NY, for aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, Class A.
  • Brianna Parlin, 24, of Rockland, for trafficking in heroin and crack cocaine, Class B.
  • Felichia Glidden, 22, of Waldoboro, for trafficking in crack cocaine, Class B.
  • Chris Knight, 24, of Rockland, for felony possession of heroin, Class C and violating bail conditions.
  • Harley Winchenbach, 23, of Waldoboro, for aggravated trafficking in heroin, Class A and two outstandiung arrest warrants for unpaid fines.
  • Sydni Barham, 28, of Rockland, for trafficking in heroin and crack cocaine, Class B.

For the past month, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force along with investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Waldoboro Police conducted an investigation into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine by out of state drug traffickers, McCausland said. The investigation revealed that Echols and Newsome would rent cars weekly to travel back and forth from New York to Maine. Each trip transported heroin and crack to be sold in Thomaston, Rockland and Waldoboro.

Echols and Newsome were assisted in their drug trafficking by a number of Maine residents, including Parlin, Glidden, Winchenbach and Barham, according to McCausland.

These locals assisted by selling heroin and crack cocaine, recruiting new customers and evading police by allowing Echols and Newsome to frequently change locations by the use of their apartments as trafficking locations.

During the past month, undercover agents were able to make purchases of heroin and crack from several members of the group, McCausland said.

Early this morning (Feb. 10), drug agents searched 44 Staley Lane in Waldoboro, the residence of Glidden and Winchenbach. Arrested inside were, Echols, Newsome, Parlin and Glidden. All were transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. Seized from the residence was approximately 40 grams of crack cocaine, 6 grams of heroin, Suboxone Strips and the prescription drug Ritalin. Packaging materials and $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized. Approximate street value of the seized drugs is $10,000.

Knight and Winchenbach were arrested after the car they were in was stopped by Waldoboro Police leaving the Staley Lane residence. A small amount of heroin was seized from Knight at that time. Both were transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Agents and Rockland Police arrested Sydni Barham at her Broadway Street apartment in Rockland. The apartment was one of the apartments used by Echols and Newsome to sell their drugs. Barham was transported to the Knox County Jail. Agents anticipate additional charges and arrests this week as part of this investigation and anticipated grand jury action, according to McCausland.

Bail has been set at; Echols, Newsome and Winchenbach, $50,000 cash each; Parlin and Glidden, $5,000 cash each; Knight, no bail due to bail violation; Barham, bail to be set.

Also assisting throughout the investigation and search warrant were representatives from the Maine Warden Service, Thomaston Police, Knox Sheriff’s Office and the Investigation Unit of the Maine State Prison.

More From B98.5