UPDATED: MDEA Arrest Six in Hancock County for Variety of Drug Offenses
Three-month long investigation alleges distribution of drugs from multiple homes in Ellsworth and Mount Desert
ELLSWORTH—A three month long investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has led to the arrest of six people in Hancock County. All six have been charged with various drug offenses for the suspected distribution of drugs from homes in Ellsworth and Mount Desert.
According to the Maine State Police’s press release, “On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, six people from Ellsworth and Mt. Desert were arrested and charged with a various drug offenses following a three-month investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.’
The Downeast Task Force covers Washington and Hancock Counties. Recently, it opened an investigation into the suspected distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine occurring from residences located at 1261 Main Street in Mount Desert and 6 Kylie’s Way in Ellsworth.
“This investigation included numerous undercover purchases of illicit drugs from both residences,” said Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Safety.
“As part of this investigation, at approximately 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, search warrants were executed on both the Ellsworth and Mount Desert homes. As a result of these searches, agents recovered approximately 35 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 200 strips of Suboxone, other diverted pharmaceutical drugs and approximately $9000 in suspected drug proceeds,” Moss said.
So far, those charged from the Mount Desert residence investigation are:
Alfred “Alphie” Lanpher (54) of Mount Desert—charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Fentanyl and Cocaine Base). These charges were aggravated due to a prior drug trafficking conviction. No bail allowed.
Justin Bent (36) of Southwest Harbor—charged with Class D Unlawful possession of cocaine. Currently being held on a probation hold.
Carl Carter (55) of Mount Desert—charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Fentanyl. No bail allowed.
Ian Jellison (42) of Southwest Harbor—charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking in Fentanyl. Jellison was out on bail from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the time of this arrest stemming from August 2023 drug trafficking arrest in that state following the discovery of a significant amount of cocaine and fentanyl in a vehicle in which he occupied. Therefore, he has no bail allowed .
Those charged after the Kylie’s Way residence investigation are:
Jeffrey Card (48) of Ellsworth—charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Methamphetamine. At the time of this arrest, Card was out on bail for a separate drug trafficking offense from March of 2023. No bail allowed.
Shannon Stanley (37) of Tremont—charged with Class A Trafficking in Fentanyl. This charged was aggravated due to a previous drug trafficking conviction. No bail allowed.
It is anticipated that all those charged will make an initial court appearance in Hancock County at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2024, Moss said.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bar Harbor-Mount Desert and Ellsworth Police Departments, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted the MDEA.
CARD REARRESTED: UPDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2024
According to the Maine State Police,
“On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, MDEA agents assigned to the Downeast Task Force, along with Ellsworth Police Officers, went to Card’s residence located on Kylie’s Way in Ellsworth in order to conduct a search of the home pursuant to a condition of bail which Card had agreed to.
“During the search, MDEA investigators located approximately ½ pound of fentanyl (241 grams), along with 36 grams of suspected methamphetamine with a combined estimated street value of $42,000.
“Following the search, Card was re-arrested, and this time charged with Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (fentanyl and methamphetamine) and Violations of Conditions of Release. He was, once again, transported to the Hancock County Jail for booking.
“All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the State of Maine. This investigation is continuing, and more arrests are likely.”
WHAT IS FENTANYL?
Fentanyl is an opioid. It’s synthesized, so it’s manmade. It’s potent—very potent. It’s also used in operating rooms and as a painkiller.
It’s addictive—very addictive. And it’s popular becoming more popular than heroin and other opioids. It is extremely powerful. Take one gram of fentanyl and put it alongside pure heroin, and the fentanyl, according to the New York Times, is 50 times more powerful. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Carfentanil, one of fentayl’s forms, is 100 times stronger than regular fentanyl.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE INTERACTION
Fentanyl’s potency is so great that it’s easy to overdose. And it’s fast-acting, which makes it an even bigger risk. People often take pills that they do not realize are actually fentanyl by dealers who are online or unlicensed. They might think they are taking OxyContin or Xanas or Vicodin, but’s laced.
People who’ve never had an opioid are also at great risk. People whose other drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, xylazine) are laced with fentanyl (or when they are taken together) are at great risk of overdoses and death.
According to a Maine Public article,
“Opioids and stimulants have a history together. People who chronically use opioids often will turn to stimulants as a way to offset the tiredness that comes along with the use of drugs like heroin and fentanyl.
“The tactic is called speedballing, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and can cause an intense high, which can also be very dangerous.
"’Stimulants cause vasoconstriction of your vessels and increase your need for oxygen,’ said Eric Weintraub, the director of addiction research and treatment at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. ‘Opioids do the opposite, they actually decrease your respiration so less oxygen is delivered to the body.’
“That stress on the body can make people more susceptible to an overdose.
“Another group of people who are affected are people intending to use stimulants on their own but who don't realize their supply has been laced with or contaminated with potent drugs like fentanyl.
"’The drug supply is so toxic and dangerous, so if somebody's using cocaine on the weekends here and there and they get the wrong batch, they could die of an overdose as well,’ Weintraub said.”
According to the New York Times, “Fentanyl alone has become a leading cause of U.S. deaths. It was responsible for a third of deaths among Americans 25 to 34 in 2022.”
HOW TO SPOT A FENTANYL OVERDOSE
The signs of a fentanyl overdose include slowing breaths and the skin is turning blue.
Call 911 immediately. If you have Narcan or nalozone, administer it.
HELP IF YOU’D LIKE SOME
If you suffer with substance use disorder please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
LINK TO LEARN MORE
Troopers Arrest Two Men Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine (mspnews.org)
This story was updated twice, once to include booking photos and then again on Feb. 1 to include Card’s second arrest.