Sunday, March 15, 2015

Trafficking in Marijuana - Starks


On 03-13-2013, at approximately 1300 hours, Tr. Duda conducted a traffic stop on I-95 northbound in Sidney, near mile marker 120 after clocking a vehicle traveling above the 70 MPH speed limit. The vehicle, a Ford F-350 pick-up truck was being operated by a lone male who was identified as, John Ricci, age 54 of Starks. Tr. Duda observed marijuana cultivating equipment inside of the truck and smelled the odor of green marijuana.


A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 25 pre rolled marijuana joints, 2.5 pounds of processed marijuana, packaged for sale concealed in a cooler in the bed of the truck, and $5,908.00 in U.S. Currency in a duffle bag inside of the truck. Ricci was arrested for trafficking marijuana and booked into the Kennebec County Jail.


A search warrant was executed by Sgt. Casavant, Tr. Duff, Tr. York, and Tr. Duda at Ricci’s residence, in Starks. During the search an elaborate marijuana growing operation was located hidden below an attached barn. A total of 31 marijuana plants were located ranging in size 1-6 feet tall. Additionally several more pounds of processed marijuana were located inside the residence as well a small amount of suspected Psilocybin mushrooms. A firearm was located concealed in the residence and based upon the investigation Ricci is prohibited from possessing firearms from a previous drug conviction