INDIAN ISLAND — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency announced to arrests of Ashley Coffman, 35, and Kristopher Loring, 37, both of Indian Island, on charges of trafficking in schedule W drugs (methamphetamine), Class B, and unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory, Class B.

The arrests were the result of an investigation conducted by the Penobscot Nation Police Department, with assistance from the MDEA, according to a news release.

For the past several weeks, the Penobscot Nation Police Department has been conducting an investigation into the suspected manufacturing of methamphetamine by island residents on Burnurwurbskek Lane. Officers on Monday located a significant amount of evidence allegedly consistent with the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine, which had been discarded in trash destined for the local landfill.

With the assistance of investigators from MDEA's laboratory response team, the police department and MDEA agents searched the house. Coffman and Loring were there along with two young children, and found inside was additional drug-related evidence according to the release.

Both Coffman and Loring were transported to the Penobscot County Jail, with bail set on both at $50,000 cash. The children, ages 2 and 7, were placed into the custody of Penobscot Nation child protective workers.

This marks the ninth meth response by MDEA this month, and the 26th of the year. The MDEA said it will continue to work closely with the Penobscot Nation Police Department on the investigation, and that additional arrests are likely.