Monday, March 10th, 2025
MDEA PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Commander Brandon Vafiades- (207) 941-4732
Bangor, Maine-
On Thursday March 6, 2025, following an investigation into fentanyl trafficking in the greater Bangor area, 3 people were arrested for Aggravated Trafficking Schedule W Drugs (Fentanyl). The charges were aggravated by drug weights.
Arrested and Taken to the Penobscot County Jail:
Joseph Rusaw (48) of Holden, Maine, currently held on $10,000 cash bail.
Meaghan Sulinski (37) of Holden, Maine, currently free on $500 cash bail.
Geiser Baez (20) of the Dominican Republic, currently held on $150,000 cash bail.
During the investigation under cover Agents arranged for the controlled purchase of fentanyl at a Bangor hotel. Rusaw and Sulinski arrived to deliver the drugs and were taken into custody by MDEA Agents. Seized from Rusaw and Sulinski were approximately 38 grams of Fentanyl, 29 grams methamphetamine and 3 grams of cocaine base (crack).
Information garnered from the arrests led Agents to a different Bangor hotel where they believed the source of the drugs was staying. Agents conducted surveillance on the room, ultimately obtaining a search warrant. Agents secured the room and located Baez inside attempting to dispose of fentanyl in the toilet. Baez was taken into custody and the fentanyl was recovered.
Seized from the room was approximately 349 grams of fentanyl, 1.5 grams of cocaine base (crack) and $1340 in suspected drug proceeds. The estimated street value of the drugs is estimated at over $40,000.
During the investigation agents were assisted by the Bangor Police Department, US DEA and the Department of Homeland Security (HSI).
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs in the State of Maine.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you suffer with substance use disorder please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.