Additional arrests may be forthcoming, MDEA says
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Maine Drug Enforcement Agency officials arrested two individuals Thursday, Nov. 18 in connection with an alleged methamphetamine manufacturing operation in Houlton.
MDEA agents arrested Kenneth Williams, 41, of Lakeland, Fla. in Bangor. Williams is accused of teaching Houlton residents how to make methamphetamine and assisting them with the process. Also charged was 28-year-old Melissa Tidd, of Houlton.
“One of the locations where evidence was seized last Monday night was Tidd’s First Street residence,” said Darrell Crandall, MDEA division commander. “Tidd is accused of assisting with gathering the necessary components for the process and providing a location for the drugs to be made.”
Kenneth Williams
Tidd has been released on bail while Williams remains in the Aroostook County Jail as of presstime.
MDEA agents and a forensic chemist assigned to MDEA’s laboratory enforcement team converged on Houlton last week donning chemical and fire resistant clothing and air tanks. About a dozen team members first went to a wooded area at the end of First Street in Houlton. First Street is part of a trailer park located near the Houlton International Airport.
Houlton Fire and EMS were on site to assist with fire suppression and medical needs if they arose. Agents emerged from the woods, under the glare of spotlights, carrying a garbage bag and spent more than an hour slowly processing the contents.
The large contingency of personnel and equipment, including two large MDEA crime scene units, a decontamination trailer, fire trucks and an ambulance then moved to a house trailer a short distance away on First Street. A search warrant was executed there and more time was spent processing evidence from inside and outside the trailer that belongs to Tidd.
“Evidence found there is consistent with what we would expect to find where someone is making methamphetamine,” Crandall said.
Finally, the team moved to a garage adjacent to a house trailer on the west side of the Foxcroft Road to execute a second search warrant. Police did not release the name of the owner.
“We seized enough evidence from this site to pretty clearly show what had been going on there,” he said.
Crandall said they have identified others involved and actively seeking additional individuals who may be involved. Anyone with information on this case may call MDEA toll free at 1-800-452-6457 or may post information at the MDEA website: www.maine.gov/dps/mdea.
