Julius Andrade Courtesy Photo

BIDDEFORD — A 20-year-old New Bedford, Massachusetts, resident wanted on felony warrants for gun-related charges in Biddeford is also facing cocaine trafficking  charges in his hometown where he was arrested Feb. 4.

Police in Biddeford say Julius Andrade was wanted in connection with a Jan. 26 incident at North Dam Mill.

“Mr. Andrade, while in the process of perpetrating an assault of a resident, discharged a firearm, with the projectile penetrating the wall of the apartment and entering an adjacent occupied apartment,” Biddeford Police said in a news release. There were no injuries.

Authorities issued a warrant, charging Andrade with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon, both Class C felonies, in connection with the Biddeford incident.

In a news release, the New Bedford Police Department said detectives were monitoring activity in the south end sector of that city on Saturday, Feb. 4 when they saw a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker.

“While stopping the vehicle on Mosher St., the operator, later identified as Mr. Julius Andrade, 20, of 403 Allen St., quickly parked in a driveway and attempted to walk away,” the New Bedford news release stated. He was stopped by detectives.

“As the result of a subsequent search of the vehicle, two plastic baggies containing more than 130 grams of cocaine were discovered in the passenger seat beneath some clothing,” the New Bedford news release continued. “He was taken into custody and later found to have an additional 40 grams of cocaine in his pants.”

Andrade was charged by New Bedford Police with trafficking in cocaine in excess of 100 grams, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and being a fugitive from justice.

Biddeford Police said the warrants they sought for Andrade were the result of an intensive investigation by officers from their agency including detectives, crime scene personnel and community policing officers, and in coordination with the United States Marshals Service – Maine Violent Offender Task Force and the New Bedford Police Department.

Following his arrest, Andrade was booked into the Bristol County House of Corrections in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and was held in lieu of $50,000 bail. He appeared at New Bedford District Court on Feb. 6, according to the clerk’s office there, where he was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing set for Feb. 22.

People charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.