Sanford man arrested, on high bail, on heroin trafficking charges

Weapons and reported drugs found on Sanford man upon his arrest on Thursday. (Maine DEA photo)

SANFORD - A three-month investigation has resulted in the arrest of a city man on three counts of aggravated heroin trafficking.

On Thursday around 4 p.m. Maine DEA agents and Sanford Police attempted to locate Brian Vance, 27, to take him into custody on arrest warrants charging two counts of Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in heroin/fentanyl.

The arrest warrants were the result of the undercover purchases of heroin from Vance, according to a Maine State Police press release.

Vance was soon located and arrested while walking on Winter Street. A search of Vance at the time of his arrest revealed Vance to be concealing approximately 10 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mix, a loaded handgun, and a boot knife.

The arrest was a combined effort of MDEA's York District Task Force and the Sanford Police Department.

For the past three months, agents assigned to MDEA's York District Task Force and Sanford Police have been investigating the distribution of heroin in Sanford by Vance and others associated with him. During the investigation agents were able to make undercover purchases of heroin from Vance.

Vance was transported to the York County Jail by Sanford Police where bail was set at $50,000 cash. An additional charge of Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in Heroin while armed with a firearm was added as a result of the seizure of the heroin and firearm. Bail on that charge was set at an additional $50,000 cash for a total bail amount of $100,000.

The approximate street value of the seized heroin is $1,500.

The investigation is continuing and others associated with Vance who are distributing heroin have been identified. Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

"Maine is experiencing an increase in the number of heroin/fentanyl related overdoses and deaths," MDEA Commander Scott Pelletier said. "This arrest illustrates the dangers posed to our communities and law enforcement personnel and the lengths that those who choose to distribute illegal drugs will take by arming themselves with firearms to protect their profits and drugs."