HOULTON, Maine — Five people have now been charged in connection with a methamphetamine manufacturing operation discovered in the town last week.
On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 29, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agents executed a search warrant at an apartment located on 60 Military St., based on reports of criminal drug activity and strong chemical odors coming from the apartment. There were also reports of children living in the apartment, according to Darrell Crandall, MDEA division commander.
Earlier in the day, MDEA agents went to 60 Military St to interview the occupants — Jammie Dickinson, 27, and Kyle Stewart, 25, both of Houlton — about the allegations of drug activity in the apartment. Agents observed a toddler was present in the home and based upon their observations, all occupants of the apartment building were evacuated.
Houlton Police Officers and MDEA agents secured the property while other MDEA personnel obtained the search warrant. Shortly after 6 p.m. MDEA’s lab team donned fire resistant chemical gear and breathing apparatus and entered the apartment, Crandall said. Houlton Fire Department and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection were also on scene providing support.
“Agents brought several items of evidence from the apartment onto the front porch where the evidence was processed,” Crandall said. “Agents seized chemicals, solvents, equipment and other materials used to make methamphetamine. Agents also seized strips of lithium metal, a highly flammable component of methamphetamine, that were hidden inside a child’s shirt near where the child sleeps.”
Dickinson and Stewart, along with a third individual Crystal Dehahn, 26, of Hodgdon, were all charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, a class B crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The trio was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a class D crime.
Dehahn and Stewart were released on bail, while Dickinson remained in custody as of Monday afternoon.
Also on Monday, two more individuals were charged in connection with the bust. John Belyea, 29, of Hodgdon was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. He was also found to be in violation of his probation.
Randolph Tapley, 30, of Houlton was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a class A crime.
“The specific details of their individual involvement in the criminal activity is not being released at this time,” Crandall said.
Belyea was being held at the Aroostook County Jail, while Tapley had posted bail.
“MDEA agents are working closely with DHHS child protective caseworkers on this investigation,” Crandall said. “The Maine State Police also provided assistance during the investigation. The Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office will be handling the prosecution of the case.”
During 2012, MDEA’s lab team processed 13 manufacturing sites in Maine. Eight of those sites were in Aroostook County. Drug crimes may be reported to MDEA at 1-800-452-6457, at MDEA’s website: www.maine.gov/dps/mdea or at MDEA’s smartphone application for iPhone and Android at MyPD.
