Lewiston man Richard Daniels, a/k/a “Stitch,” 52, is behind bars after being slammed with federal charges tied to a sprawling marijuana trafficking and butane hash oil (BHO) manufacturing operation. Arrested today and charged by criminal complaint in U.S. District Court, Daniels faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine over allegations he helped run a criminal drug ring operating under the guise of Maine’s Medical Marijuana program.
The charges stem from a deep-dive federal investigation into a drug trafficking organization based in the Lewiston-Auburn area. According to the complaint, the group flouted state and federal laws by growing massive quantities of marijuana in secret warehouses across Androscoggin County. The operation didn’t stop at raw bud—agents say the group converted high-grade pot into butane hash oil and “shatter,” a potent, glass-like concentrate favored on the black market.
Early this morning, a storm of federal, state, and local law enforcement descended on the region, executing more than 20 search warrants. At Daniels’ Lewiston residence and garage, investigators uncovered over 50 kilograms of processed marijuana, six mason jars packed with butane hash oil, and a full kilogram of shatter. Inside his garage, they found a fully equipped BHO lab—a volatile, fire-prone setup that uses highly flammable butane to extract THC.
The bust exposes how Maine’s medical marijuana framework is being exploited by traffickers like Daniels, who allegedly distributed product not just locally, but to out-of-state buyers with no legal access. The organization laundered its illegal operations under the cover of a legal program, but authorities say every move violated federal law. No medical license justifies manufacturing explosive concentrates or selling to unauthorized users.
Daniels is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Portland today at 4:30 p.m. for his initial hearing. He remains in federal custody as prosecutors build their case. If convicted, he could face the maximum 20-year sentence and the full $1,000,000 fine. The investigation was led by a multi-agency task force including the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigations, ATF, FBI, Maine State Police, and local departments from Lewiston, Auburn, Windham, Biddeford, and Scarborough.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Richard Daniels is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the sheer volume of drugs, the presence of a clandestine lab, and the coordinated takedown suggest federal authorities believe they’ve dismantled a major player in Maine’s underground cannabis trade.
Related Federal Cases
- Last 3 in Bangor Bath Salt Ring Get Decades in Prison · Maine
- John Williams Gets 70 Months for Cocaine-Oxycodone Ring · Rhode Island
- Gardiner Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Bath Salts, Heroin Ring · Massachusetts
- Rosario Gets 7½ Years in Maine Heroin Ring · Massachusetts
- Etna Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Pot Operation · Maine
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking