Gregory Ford

PARIS — A state-licensed clinical counselor pleaded guilty in Oxford County Superior Court on Thursday to felony criminal conspiracy for his role in what officials called the largest drug investigation in Oxford County history.

Gregory Ford, 56, of Scarborough was arrested in 2015 on felony charges of aggravated drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy. The state agreed to drop those charges in exchange for his plea to a lower class criminal conspiracy charge.

He was given a deferred 18-month sentence. If he doesn’t violate certain conditions for the next 18 months, he will be allowed to withdraw his plea and plead guilty to Class D conspiracy to possess heroin, serve 364 days in jail with no more than 90 days suspended, one year of probation and pay a $2,000 fine.

Ford’s conditions include no use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, be subject to random search and testing, and complete a substance abuse evaluation within 30 days of the sentence.

His licenses to counsel in Cumberland County were forfeited, according to the sentencing agreement, and he will be prohibited from reapplying for 10 years.

Ford also will be required to complete 100 hours of community service.

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Roy McKinney said in 2015 that information provided by a Maine State Police trooper as a result of a motor vehicle stop prompted the two-year investigation by MDEA’s Western District Task Force.

Between January 2013 and April 2015, the investigation uncovered 15 suspects, including Ford, whom police said were responsible for importing 17.8 pounds of heroin from Mexico and distributing it throughout Oxford County. Officials said that amounted to 80,000 doses with a street value of $3.2 million.

Ford, who also did some substance abuse counseling, has two convictions for operating under the influence of alcohol.