WASHINGTON — Following two months of investigation into the manufacture of methamphetamine, agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Mid-Coast District Task Force Tuesday afternoon searched a Crystal Lake Road residence in Washington and arrested Dustin Carpenter and Gina Glidden.

According to the MDEA in a press release Tuesday night, Carpenter, 25, of Washington County, Alabama, recently moved to the town of Washington and was living with Glidden, 27, in the basement of her grandmother's residence.

Carpenter and Glidden are accused of purchasing items essential to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, including pseudoephedrine, solvents and lithium. The search of the residence turned up evidence of those items, along with processing vessels and a small amount of methamphetamine, according to the MDEA in a press release.

The MDEA said that no active labs were present at the residence. They also said that Glidden's grandmother, and two other individuals also at the home Tuesday when the search was conducted, were not charged with any crimes and were not a part of the investigation.

Carpenter was charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, class A, and Glidden was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, class B, and violation of conditional release. They were arrested and taken to Knox County Jail.

The charge against Carpenter was elevated to an aggravated offense due to a prior conviction for methamphetamine manufacturing in Alabama. His bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Glidden, who was out on bail for a pending heroin possession charge in Lincoln County, is being held without bail. She is due to appear in Knox County Court later today, June 17.

MDEA agents were assisted by Knox County Sheriff's deputies and Maine State Police troopers.

This was the 21st methamphetamine laboratory related incident that the MDEA has responded to this year. Anyone with information about this incident, or the illegal sale of drugs, is urged to contact the nearest MDEA office or call the MDEA tip line at 1-800-452-6457.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.