ELLSWORTH — Three people have been arrested in connection with an investigation of a suspected methamphetamine lab found in a downtown apartment.
Stanley Swallow, 30, of Ellsworth was arrested on a charge of violating his probation. Bridgett Spencer, 30, was charged with Class B felony trafficking in Schedule W drugs (methamphetamine) and Jack Lint, 34, was charged with Class C felony possession of Schedule W drugs (methamphetamine).
Police said Spencer and Lint are transients from the Bangor area
Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said “others are likely to be charged.”
Thursday’s bust was the 14th suspected meth lab incident this year in Maine.
Personnel from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and other public safety agencies came to the scene Thursday morning, located in a downstairs apartment next to Charlie’s Pizza. The business is located at the corner of Spruce and Hancock streets.
Acting on information received earlier this week, the MDEA opened an investigation into the suspected manufacture of meth by a resident of 18 Hancock St.
Agents obtained a search warrant for the apartment at that address and a 1999 cargo van and a dumpster, both adjacent to the apartment.
“The evidence collected was indicative of meth manufacturing using a process commonly referred to as a ‘one pot’ or ‘shake and bake’ method.
“We’re here for a meth lab-related investigation,” said Peter Arno, MDEA Division II commander. “Over the course of this week, agents from our Ellsworth office have developed information that there could be a meth lab inside one of the apartments here. We do not feel there is an active lab going on here at this time.”
{gallery}meth 6514{/gallery}“The whole building has been evacuated,” Arno said, speaking at the scene. “I’m hoping by late this afternoon it [Charlie’s] will be open for business.”
Agents were garbed in hazardous material suits to protect them from caustic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. Common ingredients include ether, acetone, fertilizer and fuel.
The Ellsworth Fire Department was on the scene in case any ingredients combust. County Ambulance was stationed at the scene as well in case of injury.
The Ellsworth Police blocked off Spruce Street for a time, starting at the intersection with Hancock Street.
McCausland said that in all of 2013, the state found 20 such labs. MDEA also dismantled a meth lab in the York County town of Newfield on Tuesday.
Correction: An earlier version of this article contained an error. The apartment police searched was located downstairs, not upstairs as previously reported.
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