York County deputies arrest two Mass. men. for drug trafficking

ALFRED, Maine — Two Massachusetts men face drug charges following a traffic stop and vehicle search in Alfred, during which one of the men allegedly fled into the woods before to be arrested.

A York County Sheriff's Office deputy conducted a traffic stop Friday evening around 9 p.m. along Biddeford Road in Alfred for an apparent equipment violation, according to a news release shared by the agency Saturday on Facebook.

During this check, the deputy observed “indicators of criminal activity,” according to the post. The officer brought a police dog to sniff the exterior of the vehicle, and the dog apparently alerted authorities suggesting the presence of narcotics.

A man who was a passenger in the vehicle then fled on foot into the woods during a search of the vehicle, according to the release.

A second deputy called to the scene helped apprehend the man who had fled.

Deputies said they found nearly 37 grams of a suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine compound hidden in a takeout food container.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Miguel Hernandez, 23, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. His bond was set at $10,000.

The passenger accused of running into the woods during the vehicle search was identified as Layhonel Baez, 27, also of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Baez was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and refusal to submit to arrest or detention. His bond was set at $15,000.

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