MERRILL, Maine — A Merrill couple were arrested July 15 following a month-long investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Micah Lawlor, 38, and Jessica Tremblay, 26, were arrested inside a camp after state police received a tip that Lawlor was hiding on a piece of property on the Clark Road. Lawlor was wanted in connection with the methamphetamine lab discovered in Merrill on July 9.
Maine State Troopers with a K-9 tracking team, Aroostook County Deputies and Maine Game Wardens responded to the area, where they located the camp described by the anonymous source. Lawlor and Tremblay were found hiding inside the camp. Both individuals were arrested inside the camp and a firearm that was being worn by Lawlor was seized at the time of the arrests.
Both were transported to the Aroostook County Jail, where Lawlor was charged with two counts of trafficking in Schedule W drugs (methamphetamine), which is a Class B crime. He was also charged with burglary (a Class A offense), theft (a Class C crime) and criminal trespass (a Class D offense.)
Tremblay was charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespass.
“The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency relies heavily on the assistance and expertise of all law enforcement partners during these types of investigations,” said Peter Arno, commander of the MDEA. “During the underlying methamphetamine investigation, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office contributed significant investigative resources to this case. In addition, the Maine State Police and Maine Warden Service provided valuable resources during the apprehension of Lawlor. This investigation exemplifies the importance of inter-agency cooperation and the importance of working together in an effort to seek out and arrest drug traffickers in our communities.”
The arrests culminated a month-long investigation into illegal activites at the 233 Clark Road residence that Lawlor was renting. The Aroostook District Task Force investigated the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine from this residence and, as part of the investigation; agents were able to make undercover purchases of methamphetamine from this location.
As a result of the agents’ investigation and undercover purchases of methamphetamine, a search warrant was obtained and executed at approximately 7:30 p.m. on July 9.
Meth is highly addictive and the fumes that result from making the drug can be very flammable and explosive.
Agents located a number of items used in the meth-making process including muriatic acid, Coleman stove fuel, lithium strips as well as additional items used in the manufacturing process.
Assisting MDEA CDLET during the search was the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the safe disposal of the hazardous waste related to the laboratories. The Oakfield Fire Department was also on scene due to the extremely flammable nature of these types of laboratories.
Assisting MDEA in this investigation were officers from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol and the Maine State Police.
This is the 15th suspected methamphetamine-related incident this year. In 2013, MDEA CDLET responded to 20 such incidents around the state.
