Maine State Police seize more than four pounds of pot in Bethel

BETHEL — Tail lights not working on a vehicle being driven in Bethel Sunday evening led to the discovery and seizure of more than 4 pounds of marijuana, Maine State Police Lt. Walter Grzyb said Wednesday afternoon.

The information was also made public on Monday on the state police Facebook site.

At about 7:45 p.m. Sunday, Trooper Jason Wing spotted the vehicle operating with no tail lights on East Bethel Road and located it at a residence on the road. Grzyb said he made a traffic stop there.

Wing arrested the driver, Keith Behan, 39, of 60 Holt Hill Road in Bethel, on a charge of violating bail conditions from a previous offense, Grzyb said.

Following a conversation with Behan’s passenger, Ashley Hautaniemi, 30, Wing entered Hautaniemi’s residence and found and seized the marijuana and an indoor growing operation.

Grzyb said 14 live plants and 3 to 4 pounds of processed marijuana were discovered. He was assisted by Oxford County Deputy Sheriffs George Cayer and Danielle Welch.

The case will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for review and charges, which is what state police typically do with their investigations, Lt. Grzyb said.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

: Some of the 4 pounds of marijuana seized Sunday evening by Maine State Police Trooper Jason Wing from a Bethel residence include these marijuana buds being dried, Lt. Walter Grzyb said Wednesday afternoon.

: Maine State Police seized these 14 young marijuana plants and 3 to 4 pounds of processed marijuana following a traffic stop at a Bethel residence Sunday evening, Lt. Walter Grzyb said Wednesday afternoon.