Fifth arrest in meth case

Brian Flewelling
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A 22-year-old resident of both Houlton and Dexter became the fifth person charged in connection with a methamphetamine-manufacturing ring in Houlton.
    Brian Flewelling was charged last week with the Class B crime of trafficking in methamphetamine, according to Darrell Crandall, division commander of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. He is the fifth suspect charged in the last three weeks in connection with methamphetamine manufacturing facilities that state drug enforcement officials believe have been operating in Houlton.
    “While evidence may surface to warrant charging additional suspects, we believe we have now charged those primarily responsible,” Crandall said Friday. “The investigation will continue until we believe we have spoken with everyone who may have witnessed or participated in any of the criminal activity.”
    According to Crandall, the charge against Flewelling is based on evidence that he assisted Kenneth Moore in the manufacturing of the drug in the days leading up to the Nov. 15 search of three Houlton residences.
    In November, Kenneth Williams, 41, of Lakeland, Fla. and Melissa Tidd, 28, of Houlton were arrested in connection with an alleged methamphetamine manufacturing operation in Houlton. Also arrested were Nancy Hardy-Boles, 31, of Houlton, who was charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine; and Moore, 33, of Houlton.
    The Class B charge against Flewelling is based on evidence he assisted Moore in manufacturing methamphetamine. A Class B charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
    MDEA lab teams searched locations on Foxcroft Road and First Street and in a wooded area at the end of First Street. Crandall said agents recovered evidence that included chemicals, solvents and other items typically used in the drug manufacturing process. Methamp-hetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug with a high potential for abuse with limited medical uses. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is taken orally, by snorting the powder, by needle injection or by smoking. It is classified as a Schedule II drug and prescriptions cannot be refilled according to the National Institute On Drug Abuse.