PORTLAND — Police have arrested a New York man on Tuesday night after cocaine was found in his South Portland motel room, according to a press release from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Akeem Cruz, 20, of Brooklyn, NY, was charged with unlawful trafficking in cocaine base, a Class B crime, and violations of conditions of release.

According to the press release, MDEA agents were investigating a complaint of suspected drug trafficking from a room at a South Portland motel where Cruz was staying on Tuesday evening. After gaining a search warrant for Cruz’s hotel room, MDEA agents seized 13 grams of suspected crack cocaine base that was packaged for street sale of $1,300 and $564 in cash.

Police described Cruz as the boyfriend of a Scarborough woman who went missing in New York in early June. Megan Waterman, 22, advertised services as as an escort on Craigslist and regularly made trips to New York before she was last heard of on the night of June 5. Cruz was questioned by the police and considered a witness to the case, investigators said at the time.

Cruz is currently facing charges of criminal threatening and criminal mischief for a Portland incident, according to today’s press release from the MDEA. In July, the Associated Press reported that he faced charges of driving without a license.

Cruz is being held at Cumberland County Jail without bail.  His initial court appearance was scheduled for 1 p.m. today.


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