MDEA Uncovers Suspected Meth Lab in Southern Aroostook County [UPDATE]

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says an arrest warrant is pending for a man wanted in connection with a suspected methamphetamine lab in the southern Aroostook town of Merrill.

Late Wednesday, investigators were called to a home at 233 Clark Road in Merrill, about 20 miles west of Houlton, to process evidence of meth manufacturing.

According to Commander Scott Pelletier of the MDEA, the man who rents the home has been identified and will be charged. The suspect's name, however, is not being released pending the issuance of an arrest warrant.

For the past month, the MDEA’s Aroostook District Task Force has been investigating the manufacturing and distribution of Methamphetamine from the residence in Merrill. Pelletier says undercover agents were able to make purchases at the home and returned Wednesday evening with a search warrant.

MDEA’s lab team was activated to safely dismantle and seize the meth lab. Specially trained agents from around the state along with a chemist, utilizing specialized equipment and wearing protective gear, dismantled 24 separate devices from inside the home, where the drug was allegedly being concocted. The agents retained samples of a variety of items, including muriatic acid, Coleman stove fuel, and lithium strips.

Assisting the MDEA in the investigation are several agencies, including: The Aroostook County Sheriff's Office, Maine State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, Oakfield Fire and Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

We will have more information as it becomes availble.

This is the 15th Meth manufacturing incident this year in Maine.  There were 20 in 2013.