AUGUSTA — Two of the eight people Maine Drug Enforcement Agents arrested Tuesday night in an alleged "major drug ring" in Hancock County are brothers from Stockton Springs.

According to MDEA Director Roy McKinney, the arrests came at the conclusion of a two-year investigation into the sale of the prescription narcotic, oxycodone, and included the seizure of more than 1,100 oxycodone pills and $35,000 cash.

In a press release Wednesday McKinney said, "This investigation has disrupted a major drug ring in Hancock County selling oxycodone and highlights the epidemic of illegal prescription drug sales and use in Maine. MDEA remains committed to working with our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate, arrest and prosecute those involved with the illicit distribution of prescription narcotics."

The MDEA's investigation began in May 2011, when agents from the Down East District Task Force in Ellsworth began investigating Michael Clark, 28, of Silver Lake Road in Bucksport, for suspected trafficking in oxycodone.

"Drug agents suspected Clark was the ringleader of a group selling a significant amount of the drug in Hancock County. As part of the investigation, MDEA agents made a number of undercover purchases of prescription narcotics from members of Clark's organization," said McKinney in the release.

Following searches of a Clark's home in Bucksport and three others homes in Orland, Bucksport and Ellsworth, MDEA agents Dec. 10 arrested Clark and charged him with aggravated trafficking of schedule W drugs (oxycodone), a class A felony. Also arrested was Joel Allen, 26, of Orland, who was charged with class B trafficking in schedule W drugs (oxycodone).

The trafficking charge against Clark was increased to "aggravated" because of the large quantity of oxycodone agents seized, according to the release.

Also arrested Tuesday were Brandie Higgins, 39, of Bucksport and Ellsworth, and brothers David Maguire, 29, and Nicholas Maguire, 24, both of Stockton Springs. All three were charged with class B trafficking in schedule W drugs (oxycodone), as were Wendy Cassidy, 31, of Bucksport, and David Vaughn, 27, of Ellsworth.

The eighth person, Christopher Newcomb, 38, of Bucksport, was arrested Wednesday and charged with class C felony possession of schedule W drugs (oxycodone). All of the arrests took place without incident, according to McKinney.

MDEA agents were assisted in the arrests by Bucksport and Ellsworth police officers, deputies with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Maine State Police troopers and agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

In addition to the pills, with a street value of more than $40,000, and the $35,000 cash, officers seized a Humvee, two ATVs, a motorcycle, jewelry and other precious metals, according to the release.

McKinney said the investigation is continuing and that more arrests are likely.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the MDEA Ellsworth office at 664-2443.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.