Domestic Violence Call Leads To Discovery Of Clandestine Drug Labs In Maine

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) said a local domestic violence investigation led to the discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory and the arrest of an alleged trafficker.

MDEA said Saco Police Department officers on Aug. 17 responded to a domestic violence-related incident and found what appeared to be a drug lab inside the residence at 49 Cumberland Avenue. Officers secured the residence and MDEA agents responded to assist.

MDEA agents confirmed the presence of an “active” drug lab, but due to not knowing what kind of drug lab it might be, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) clandestine laboratory team was called in to assist.

After obtaining a search warrant, “the lab was rendered safe” by state and federal agents. Investigators determined a psilocybin mushroom lab and a DMT (dimethyltryptamine) lab were operating in the residence. The “dangerous and hazardous” labs were dismantled.

During the search, agents seized 4.25 kilos of psilocybin mushrooms; 12 grams of DMT; 15 grams of Cocaine HCl; 34.5 grams of Ketamine; 40 grams of MDMA, and 1478 doses of LSD.

Christopher Blanchette, 52, was arrested and charged with two counts of Trafficking in Scheduled W Drugs and two counts of Trafficking in Scheduled X drugs. MDEA said he is also facing charges related to the initial police call. He is being held at York County Jail on $250,000 cash bail.