WASHINGTON, Maine — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday arrested a couple from the town of Washington on methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Dustin Carpenter, 25, formerly of Washington County, Alabama, was charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a Class A felony, MDEA Cmdr. Scott Pelletier said in a news release.
Gina Glidden, 27, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and with violating the conditions of her release from a prior arrest, Pelletier said.
Over the past two months, agents from MDEA’s Mid-Coast District Task Force conducted an investigation into the manufacturing of methamphetamine by Carpenter and Glidden, who were purchasing components to include pseudoephedrine, solvents and lithium, along with other items essential to the manufacturing process, Pelletier said.
Drug agents on Tuesday afternoon searched the home the two live in at 92 Crystal Lake Road. The residence belongs to Glidden’s grandmother, and the couple were living in the basement.
A search of the residence revealed evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing, including pseudoephedrine, lithium, processing containers and a small amount of methamphetamine, Pelletier said. No active labs were present, he added.
Carpenter and Glidden were arrested and taken to Knox County Jail.
Carpenter’s charge was elevated to aggravated because of a prior conviction for methamphetamine manufacturing in Alabama. His bail was set at $10,000 cash.
Glidden, who was out on bail for a pending heroin possession charge in Lincoln County, was denied bail. She will appear in Knox County Court on Wednesday.
Glidden’s grandmother and two others who were at the home on Tuesday were not charged and were not a part of the investigation, Pelletier said.
Assisting drug agents were deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from the Maine State Police.
This was the 21st meth lab related incident responded to by MDEA this year.
Anyone with information about Tuesday’s incident or the illegal sale of drugs is asked to contact the nearest MDEA office or call the MDEA tip line at 800-452-6457.