The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Oxford Police have arrested two homeless men for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine.

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Oxford Police stopped a vehicle with no exhaust system early Wednesday morning on Main Street in Oxford. The driver,  46-year-old Charles McNeice, formerly of Gray, did not have a valid driver’s license, according to a news release from MDEA Commander Scott Pelletier.  He was also out on bail for a felony theft charge from York County.

The passenger, 33-year-old Joshua Mershimer, formerly of Portland, had an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to pay fines in Cumberland County, Pelletier said.

The MDEA Laboratory Team responded to the scene and seized a number of items as evidence.

Agents also uncovered two additional locations in Gray where they say McNeice and Mershimer had attempted to dispose of chemicals and other items used in the drug manufacturing process. A bag containing chemicals  and the burned-out remains of a one-pot meth lab were found in the woods.

McNeice was charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine;  Mershimer was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Methamphetamine.  They were transported to the Oxford County Jail.

McNeice was denied bail and will appear in Oxford County Court on Thursday.  His charge is aggravated due to a prior felony drug conviction in Florida.  Mershimer’s bail was set at $5,000 cash.

Drug agents say a number of homeless persons from the Portland area have been identified as being recruited by McNeice to purchase items to manufacture methamphetamine.

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