Auburn Man Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession and Marijuana Trafficking

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Brian J. Bilodeau, 33, of Auburn, Maine, was arrested yesterday and charged today by criminal complaint in U.S. District Court with illegal possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

According to the complaint, the charges arose from an investigation into a drug trafficking organization located in the Lewiston-Auburn area that is alleged to have grown and distributed large quantities of marijuana in violation of federal law, and under the cover of, but in violation of, Maine’s Medical Marijuana program. The organization cultivated marijuana at numerous warehouses in Androscoggin County and distributed marijuana to people who were not participants in Maine’s Medical Marijuana program, including out-of-state customers.  This organization also grew marijuana as a precursor for the illegal manufacture of marijuana concentrates known as butane hash oil and “shatter,” a product made from butane hash oil.

Yesterday, federal, state and local law enforcement agents executed over 20 search warrants in the Lewiston-Auburn area associated with the organization.  The defendant’s Danville Corner Road residence was searched.  Agent seized about 183 pounds of marijuana, butane hash oil, a loaded .380 caliber pistol, a loaded 9mm pistol, an unloaded .45 caliber pistol, and an unloaded .22 caliber rifle.  Agents also seized a 2016 Lamborghini Huracan and a black 2014 Nissan GT-R pursuant to seizure warrants on the basis that they were forfeitable as proceeds of drug trafficking, facilitated drug trafficking, or were involved in money laundering offenses.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the drug charge and between 5 years and life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearms charge.

The defendant is expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court today at 4:00 p.m. in Portland.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the FBI; the Maine State Police; and the Lewiston, Auburn, Windham, Biddeford and Scarborough Police Departments.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.