Bruce Fournier of Auburn looks at lawyer Heidi Pushard, who represented him Wednesday afternoon in 8th District Court in Lewiston. Fournier was arrested Tuesday night on drug trafficking charges. Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn
AUBURN — Police arrested a 43-year-old man Tuesday night after finding more than 20 pounds of marijuana in his apartment near Edward Little High School.
Bruce Fournier of 91 Minot Ave. was charged with unlawful trafficking of a scheduled drug, a Class B crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was also charged with two counts of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and violating condition of release, each a misdemeanor punishable by less than a year in jail.
Police said they executed a search warrant for Fournier’s apartment Tuesday night as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug activity.
Officers had placed an order with Fournier through an online service, advertising as B and B Delivery. The order was for 4 grams of “dabs,” or hashish oil, with the agreed-upon price of $135 and the delivery location.
Police display cash, marijuana, hash oil, prescription drugs and psilocybin mushrooms seized at an Auburn man’s apartment Tuesday night. Auburn Police Department photo
State law says furnishing marijuana or a derivative for compensation is illegal. That includes a donation or any other monetary payment received directly or indirectly in exchange for a product or service as a part of a transaction in which marijuana or its products are transferred or furnished.
Upon taking delivery, officers served the search warrant at the apartment, which, according to a police affidavit, is within 1,000 feet of the high school and 50 feet from the entrance to the Snake Trail, a school property and trail system that leads to the school.
Police seized more than 20 pounds of processed marijuana, 744 vials of hash oil, 23 Xanax pills, 62 Gabapentin pills, 62 psilocybin mushrooms and $2,600 in cash from suspected drug transactions.
Xanax, a controlled substance, is a sedative used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. Gabapentin, a prescription medication, is used to treat seizures.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected, Deputy Police Chief Timothy Cougle said.
Fourier appeared Wednesday in 8th District Court in Lewiston where Judge John Martin ordered his bail set at $5,000. Martin said he was concerned Fourier was living with his teenage son at the time the drugs were seized.
Lawyer Heidi Pushard, who represented Fournier in court, said he experiences significant pain from back and neck issues. He has a medical marijuana card allowing him to have pot, she said.
If released on bail, Fournier must not have any alcohol, illegal drugs or marijuana derivatives, for which he can be searched at random.
Fournier remained Wednesday night at the Androscoggin County Jail.
cwilliams@sunjournal.com
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