PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department held a press conference Tuesday afternoon after several minors were taken into custody in connection with a shooting incident in the Forest Avenue area in February and alleged drug trafficking.
On Feb. 26, police responded to the area of Forest Avenue and Clinton Street for a reported shooting, Portland police said in a news release. Multiple gunshots were fired by occupants of two vehicles, a dark-colored Dodge Dart and dark-colored Ford Explorer, while they drove through multiple residential streets between Forest and Stevens Avenue.
Police discovered days later a 17-year-old boy was in possession of the Dodge Dart during the shooting, the release stated. The discovery came after the vehicle was found with several apparent bullet holes in the area of 77 Grant St.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. He was brought to the Long Creek Youth Development Center, police said.
"Detectives continued their investigation and were able to identify the owner of the Ford Explorer and the investigation led to identifying a significant drug trafficking network," according to police. "Houses in Portland, Gray, and New Gloucester were identified as being used by individuals wanted in connection with this shooting as well as other significant criminal activity."
On Friday, Portland detectives served several high-risk search warrants simultaneously with state and federal investigators in New Gloucester and Gray. As the New Gloucester warrant was being served, police said a vehicle was seen traveling at a high speed. That vehicle was located in a parking lot off Vaughan Street.
Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and brought to Long Creek Youth Development Center as a result. Police said they seized "three handguns, $2200 in cash, and almost a pound of cocaine ... from the vehicle."
Six handguns, a shotgun, more than 400 grams of cocaine, and more than $44,000 was seized over the course of the investigation, according to the release.
Police said in the news release they are concerned with minors being involved in the alleged crimes and are seeing assistance from parents and community members to mitigate such criminal acts.
"The sophistication of this drug trafficking network and the level of violence that we have connected with this group of youthful individuals is troubling. The ages of those involved range from 16 to 19 years old.
"We are fortunate that no innocent bystander was struck by one of the stray rounds fired between the vehicles during the rolling gun fight on February 26th. Over the past two years, Portland has seen a significant increase in gun violence that can be directly attributed to drug trafficking. We have seen bullets shot into the bedrooms of innocent children. We have responded to several incidents with people senselessly shot."