PARIS — A Peru man accused of being part of a narcotics distribution ring in the Rumford area has been indicted on multiple charges of drug trafficking by an Oxford County grand jury. 

John R. Gallant, 19, of 6 Stage Coach Road was indicted on two counts of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, one count aggravated trafficking, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and receiving stolen property. 

The charges stem from two Maine Drug Enforcement Agency operations this spring that netted illegal drugs, including cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana, firearms, ledgers from drug sales and almost $4,500 in cash. 

According to an affidavit by MDEA agent Chancey Libby, Gallant was stopped in his vehicle by Maine State Police trooper Paul Casey on an unrelated arrest warrant on April 3 while driving through Canton. 

The report stated Casey smelled marijuana in the car and, after finding no marijuana on Gallant, attempted a search of the vehicle’s glove box, which was locked. Gallant said he did not have the key. 

Casey impounded the vehicle and, after transporting Gallant to Oxford County Jail in Paris, returned to search the vehicle. 

In the glove box, Casey found a plastic bag containing additional, smaller bags of white chunk powder he suspected to be cocaine, according to the report. 

The material later tested positive for cocaine, with a gross weight of 73.5 grams, he noted in the report. 

Following the seizure, MDEA carried out a covert investigation into Gallant and believed he was continuing to traffic in cocaine and oxycodone, Libby wrote in the report.

On May 20, MDEA agents, the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police executed an arrest warrant for Gallant at his home and seized additional drugs, firearms and cash, according to a MDEA statement released following the search.

According to the statement, many of the illegal drugs, with a street value of more than $10,000, were packaged for distribution.

On Monday, MDEA Special Agent Tony Milligan said an agency investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking network distributing in the greater Rumford area was ongoing. Some members of the suspected network had already been charged with offenses and the agency expects to make more arrests in connection with the case, Milligan said.

Gallant is out of jail on $10,000 surety bail he posted after his arrest in May, and is expected to appear in Oxford County Superior Court on Sept. 3.

[email protected]