PORTLAND — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Portland Police Department arrested seven people during the execution of a “High-Risk” Search Warrant at 658 Congress Street, apartment 402 in Portland on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
A “High-Risk” Search warrant was executed by the Portland Police Special Reaction Team (SRT) in order to safely secure apartment 402 and detain any occupants of the apartment prior to the agents search of the apartment.
Arrested by Portland Police were Bruce Cavallaro, 46, of Portland for Criminal Trespass; Michael Walbridge, 35, of Portland for Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Violation of Probation.
Chanta Gaddist, 38, of Yarmouth was arrested for Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Violation of Bail; James Williams, 50, of Portland for Criminal Trespass and Carrying a Concealed Weapon; David Covington, 38, of Portland for Criminal Trespass; Monica Miller, 30, of Portland for Criminal Trespass; and Erica Mathies, 25, of Portland for Criminal Trespass.
Over the past two months, Portland Police responded to over a dozen “Calls for Service” to 658 Congress Street, a multi-resident apartment building.
The calls included, but were not limited to suspected drug trafficking, threatening display of weapons, to include firearms, and disorderly persons.
During this time, agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement’s Cumberland District Task Force were investigating illegal drug trafficking from apartment 402.
During the investigation it was revealed the apartment renter, Bruce Cavallaro, and others were distributing illegal drugs from apartment 402 as well as the common hallways and the front and rear entrances of the apartment building.
The building’s landlord filed for and was granted a “Writ of Possession” from the Cumberland County District Court on Feb. 2, as part of an official eviction of Bruce Cavallaro and others from 658 Congress Street, apartment 402.
Cavallaro and others refused to vacate the apartment previously when evicted.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, the Portland Police SRT made an initial entry into 658 Congress Street and safely secured apartment 402.
During the entry, the seven aforementioned people were detained, subsequently arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Jail without incident.
A subsequent search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine, as well as additional evidence of drug trafficking.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges will be reviewed based on evidence seized during the search.
