HOULTON, Maine — A methamphetamine case in Houlton has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals over a two-week span.
The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, working with Houlton Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, arrested six individuals following the discovery of methamphetamine manufacturing inside an apartment house located at 13 Columbia St.
The Monday arrests come on the heels of the initial June 17 arrest of Houlton resident Toni Bulley, who lived in the apartment building, by MDEA agents. Bulley, 48, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.
According to Steve McCausland, Maine State Police public information officer, Bulley was taken into custody following an investigation by the MDEA and the Houlton Police Department.
Bulley’s apartment was searched, along with a second apartment in the building on the evening of June 16 and early June 17, McCausland said. Items found in both apartments were consistent with making methamphetamine.
MDEA agents wearing protective haz-mat suits were at the property June 17 taking photographs and collecting evidence. Members of the Houlton Fire Department were also on the site in their gear, in case the chemicals exploded.
“After Bulley was arrested, agents from MDEA’s Aroostook Task Force continued with their investigation to identify others who may have assisted Bulley with making the meth or helping her acquire the materials used to make the drug,” McCausland said.
The six arrested, who are all from Houlton and were all charged with Class B unlawful trafficking schedule W drugs, were: Jesse Case, 29; Earl Little Jr., 25; Crystal Cameron, 29; Mataya Gardiner, 21; and Bruce King, 36.
Gary Gardiner, 59, was charged with Class A unlawful trafficking schedule W drugs, an aggravated charge due to prior drug felony conviction.
The arrests mark the 27th such case in Maine this year. Last year, there were 37 total meth labs broken up by the MDEA, McCausland said.
“We are already above the halfway mark for last year,” McCausland said. “Meth is relatively easy to make and inexpensive. But it is also highly explosive to make and highly addictive.”
All were transported to the Aroostook County Jail. The investigation is continuing and still more arrests are possible.
