AUGUSTA — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Thursday, with assistance from multiple Midcoast law enforcement agencies, arrested two South Thomaston men on charges of aggravated trafficking in scheduled W drugs (bath salts).

Arrested July 3 were Herman "Rusty" Hoffman, 39, and Michael Hoffman, 38. Herman Hoffman was arrested at his residence and transported to Knox County Jail. His bail was set at $2,000. Michael Hoffman was arrested at a business in Waldoboro and transported to that town's police department, from which he was released on an unsecured bail.

According to the MDEA in a press release, at approximately 3 p.m. on July 3, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force simultaneously executed two search warrants. One search warrant was for Herman Hoffman's residence on Grierson Road, and the other was for his business, Hoffman's Collectibles, at 1401 Atlantic Highway (Route 1) in Waldoboro.

The search warrants were obtained following a three-month investigation into illegal alleged distribution by both Herman and Michael Hoffman of AVPA bath salts, a synthetic hallucinogenic drug.

At Hoffman's residence, agents allegedly seized 301 capsules of a-PVP bath salts and approximately 1 gram of pentylone bath salts. They also seized three handguns, allegedly stored with the drugs, $25,000 in cash, seven Maine EBT cards they said Hoffman received as payment for drugs and several Maine motor vehicle inspection stickers that had been reported stolen.

At the business, agents also allegedly seized 199 capsules of a-PVP bath salts, approximately $1,500 cash, Suboxone strips and alleged drug ledgers.

"The investigation revealed that Hermon Hoffman had been distributing bath salts from both his residence and business, drawing customers from across the MidcCoast area. The bath salts were being sold for between $12 and $15 per capsule," said MDEA Commander Scott Pelletier in the release.

Additional charges are expected, he said, as the investigation continues.

Assisting the MEDA in the investigation and subsequent search warrants were officers with the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Waldoboro Police Department, Rockland Police Department and Maine State Police.

Note: A photo of Michael Hoffman was not immediately available.

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