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Maine’s highest court has struck down a California man’s appeal to overturn his 2024 conviction on drug trafficking charges in Aroostook County.
Jose Verdugo of Monrovia, California, petitioned the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in April to reverse the judgment, claiming the court delayed appointing an attorney and that police had no probable cause to search his Caribou home.
Verdugo was arrested in Caribou after Maine drug enforcement agents searched his home and seized nearly $60,000 worth of illegal drugs, including more than a pound of methamphetamine, approximately 446 Oxycodone 30mg pills and about 30 grams of fentanyl.
Police charged Verdugo with three counts of aggravated trafficking of Schedule W drugs and one count of unlawful trafficking of Schedule W drugs.
In his April appeal, Verdugo claimed the court didn’t provide him an attorney until a month after his first appearance. He also alleged that officers did not have probable cause for a search warrant at his home, according to court records.
Justices denied Verdugo’s appeal and affirmed his conviction.
Verdugo didn’t complain about his state-appointed attorney during his trial and didn’t submit evidence that the monthlong delay affected the outcome, the decision stated. Probable cause existed because of allegations from six informants as well as controlled drug buys from Verdugo by police.
Additionally, the drugs seized support the conviction, the justices said.
