Stolen U-Haul Leads Police to Major Drug Bust in Central Maine

A man from Rochester, New Hampshire, is facing numerous charges after he allegedly stole a U-Haul van and was found in possession of a significant quantity of drugs.

According to an article in the KJ, Augusta Police Department officer Joanna Murch was on patrol at about 3 AM on Thursday morning when she spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen hours earlier.  The Ford Transit van, which she spotted parked at the Rusty Lantern convenience store on Denali Way, had been reported stolen from the parking lot of U-Haul on Western Avenue on Wednesday.

While Officer Murch was waiting for backup to arrive, a man and a woman exited the van.

The man was later identified as 37-year-old Adrien Sanders, of Rochester, New Hampshire.

The article explains that when Sanders was told the vehicle was stolen, he seemed shocked.  He explained that he had been given the vehicle by U-Haul employees when he returned another rental vehicle for service.  However, he was not able to provide officers with proof that he had rented a vehicle from U-Haul.  Because of that, he has been charged in the theft of the vehicle.

The woman with Sanders explained that she had been picked up by him earlier in the night.  He had reportedly picked her up from the York Police Department.

She also reportedly told officers that Sanders had a significant amount of illegal drugs with him.

After searching the van, police found several bags of white powder.  Two of the bags tested positive for baking soda.  The other bag, which contained over 100 grams of a white and tan substance, eventually tested positive for fentanyl.  It is believed the baking soda was there to be used as a substance to cut (dilute) the drugs.

According to numbers put out by Harm Reduction Ohio, that would be enough fentanyl to kill over 500,000 people!  It could kill as many as one million people!

A search done by police also found a bag containing 2.92 grams of methamphetamine and a bag that contained 48 Adderall pills.

Sanders has been charged with several crimes including aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs (fentanyl), unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs (Adderall), possessing imitation drugs, and violating conditions of release.  For the alleged taking of the van, he was charged with theft by unauthorized use of property.

*NOTE - All suspects are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.