Drug Bust at Auburn Hotel Turns Up Meth, Fentanyl & Thousands in Cash

An early morning drug bust in Auburn on Thursday led to two arrests and the seizure of a laundry list of illegal substances, including everything from meth to fentanyl, and a whole lot in between.

According to WGME 13, , the raid happened Thursday morning at the Center Street Value Inn, a spot they say has been on their radar due to ongoing drug activity. Officers executed a search warrant and found what can only be described as a makeshift pharmacy, one definitely not approved by the FDA.

Inside the room, police say they uncovered methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and more than 600 oxycodone pills. Also found? Digital scales, packaging materials, and over $2,000 in suspected drug cash, classic signs of a full-blown trafficking operation.

The news station went on to report that two people were charged in connection with the bust:

• 51-year-old Mark Buiniskas of Lisbon, and

• 35-year-old Shannon Morrison of Lewiston.

Both are facing charges for unlawful possession and unlawful trafficking of scheduled W drugs, which includes opioids and other high-risk controlled substances.

To make matters worse for Buiniskas, police say he also had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on a prior drug possession charge. He was booked into the Androscoggin County Jail, where he’s being held without bail.

WGME said that as of now, it’s unclear whether Morrison was taken to jail or released pending court.

Local authorities say this is part of a larger effort to crack down on drug-related crime in the area, especially in locations that have become hot spots for trafficking and illegal activity.

We’ll keep an eye on this one and update you as more information comes in.