TOPSHAM — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency this week announced that three people have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into illegal prescription drug dealing in Waldo County.

MDEA Commander Scott Pelletier April 2 announced the arrests of Arthur Gardiner, 63, and Shelby Tapley, 18, both of Swanville, and Gary Stevens, 30, of Lynn, Mass. Gardiner and Tapley were charged with illegal possession of oxycodone pills, and Gardiner was charged with violation of bail. Stevens was charged with aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs (oxycodone)

Gardiner and Tapley were taken into custody March 28, when agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force, accompanied by officers from the Waldo County Sheriff's Office and Belfast Police Department, conducted a bail check on Gardiner. According to the release, Gardiner was on bail for a pending MDEA charge of aggravated trafficking in oxycodone, Class A. During the bail check multiple prescription pills were allegedly located, none of which were prescribed to Tapley or Gardiner.

Agents reportedly seized 129 hydrocodone pills, 17 oxycodone pills, 91 clonazepam and Klonopin pills and Gardiner and Tapley were both arrested for illegal possession of the drugs and transported to Waldo County Jail, where Tapley's bail was set at $250 cash. Gardiner is being held without bail as a result of his violation of previous bail conditions.

During a continuation of their investigation into the source of Gardiner and Tapley’s drug supply, MDEA agents conducted an undercover operation on the morning of April 2, when Stevens traveled from Massachusetts to Maine for the alleged purpose of delivering oxycodone. According to the release, arrangements were made to meet Stevens that morning in a parking lot along Interstate 295 in Topsham, and when he approached an undercover officer with the oxycodone pills, he was arrested, without incident.

Stevens was allegedly found to be in possession of 320 oxycodone pills, which MDEA agents estimated have a street value of $15,000. Following his arrest for aggravated trafficking in drugs, Stevens was taken to Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset.

In addition to the Belfast Police Department and Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, the MDEA was assisted by Maine State Police and the Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office. The Mid-Coast District Task Force serves the communities of Knox, Waldo, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com