Two men and a woman have been charged this week following a joint drug investigation conducted by Bangor Police and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Police seized more than $25,000 worth of cocaine and heroin, along with nearly $5,000 in cash, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.

This investigation began late Wednesday evening, Oct. 29, when Bangor Officer Nick Huggins stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction on the southbound ramp of I-95, near the Hogan Road.

During his investigation, Officer Huggins found the operator, Timothy Thorpe, 34, of Dedham, to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine, the report said. With Thorpe was a passenger, identified as 34 year old Terrence Douglas of Bennetsville, South Carolina.

Huggins requested the assistance of a State Police canine in order to conduct a drug check of the vehicle. Trooper Barry Meserve arrived with his K-9 partner Zorro. As the dog was conducting a drug sniff of Thorpe's vehicle, Douglas ran off and was taken into custody a short distance away. Douglas was found to be in possession of approximately $1,700 and a small amount of marijuana, police said in the release.

Thorpe was arrested by Bangor Police on cocaine possession charges and violation of conditions of release. Douglas was arrested and charged with refusing to submit to arrest. Both were transported to the Penobscot County Jail.

Investigators learned that Douglas was staying in an Odlin Road hotel in Bangor. A search of that room Thursday morning by drug agents and Bangor Police found 40 grams of heroin, 41 grams of crack cocaine and other evidence of drug trafficking, the release said.

Following the search of the motel room, investigators turned their attention toward the apprehension of Douglas, who had been released on bail from the jail prior to the execution of the hotel search warrant, and his alleged accomplice, 28 year old Tiffany Sutherland, of Bangor, the release said.

Both were located late Thursday afternoon at a residence on Pine View Drive in Winterport and taken into custody without incident.

Following the arrests, a search of the Winterport residence found another 22 grams of heroin, 66 grams of powder cocaine, 12 grams of crack cocaine and approximately $3,000. In addition, a loaded 44 magnum handgun was also recovered, which had been recently stolen, the release said. It is believed that the drugs and the gun had been brought into the home by Douglas and Sutherland shortly before their arrests, police said.

The two have been charged with Class A, Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Heroin and Cocaine). Both have previous drug convictions and are currently being held at the Penobscot County Jail. The investigation is continuing and more charges and arrests are likely.

“MDEA Director Roy McKinney and Bangor Police Chief Mark Hathaway join in their continued concern about the steady rise in the number of out of state drug traffickers coming to Bangor and other areas of the state to conduct their illegal business,” the release said. “This combined with the presence of firearms by these drug dealers is a disturbing trend.”