LUDLOW, Maine — A man and woman were arrested Monday following the discovery of another methamphetamine laboratory in Aroostook County.
Kayla Nelson
Kayla Nelson, 25, of Houlton was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking in Schedule W drugs (methamphetamine), and James Anthony, 30, of Ludlow, charged Friday with attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine, had charges upgraded to aggravated Class A trafficking in Schedule W drugs.
Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Stephen McCausland said last Friday evening, Aroostook County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Ludlow Road in Ludlow for a report that a female had been injured in a meth-lab related incident. When deputies arrived, they learned that the woman had been transported to Houlton Regional Hospital following a chemical exposure which occurred during the process of making meth. She was treated and released from the hospital that night.
Deputies requested the assistance from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Houlton Task Force. Agents responded to Ludlow and then arrested Anthony on the initial charge, a Class C felony. Agents also seized his car.
Monday, the MDEA lab team, comprised of specially trained MDEA agents and a State of Maine chemist, searched the car, which had been impounded at the State Police barracks in Houlton. Seized inside was methamphetamine, along with a significant amount of evidence consistent with meth manufacturing.
James Anthony
Monday evening, Nason, the woman treated Friday for the chemical burns, was arrested and taken to the Aroostook County Jail.
In addition, Anthony’s charges were upgraded to aggravated trafficking, due to a prior drug felony conviction. The investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely.
This is the 26th statewide methamphetamine lab incident MDEA has responded to this year and the sixth in Aroostook County. This incident shows the volatile nature of making meth, where the likelihood of fire, explosion and chemical exposure is extremely high.
MDEA worked jointly with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office and was assisted during the search by the Maine DEP and the Houlton Fire Department.
Anyone with information concerning drug trafficking in Maine is urged to contact local law enforcement or the closest MDEA task force office. The MDEA tip line is 1 (800) 452-6457.
