ALFRED, Maine — Two men from Massachusetts are facing drug charges following a traffic stop and vehicle search in Alfred, during which one of the men reportedly fled into the woods before being arrested.
A deputy with the York County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop Friday evening around 9 p.m. along Biddeford Road in Alfred for an apparent equipment violation, according to a news release shared by the agency Saturday on Facebook.
During that stop, the deputy observed "indicators of criminal activity," according to the post. The deputy brought over a police dog to sniff the exterior of the vehicle, and the dog apparently alerted to officials suggesting the presence of narcotics.
A man who was a passenger in the vehicle then fled into the woods on foot during the search of the vehicle, according to the release.
A second deputy who was called to the scene helped apprehend the man who fled.
Deputies said they found nearly 37 grams of a suspected compound of fentanyl and methamphetamine stashed inside a food takeout container.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 23-year-old Miguel Hernandez of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was charged with aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs. His bail was set at $10,000.
The passenger accused of running into the woods during the vehicle search was identified as 27-year-old Layhonel Baez, also of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Baez was charged with aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs and refusing to submit to arrest or detention. His bail was set at $15,000.
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