VINALHAVEN — Three people were arrested Wednesday after a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory was discovered in a shed on private property in Vinalhaven.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, in a press release Thursday, said they have arrested Ryan Rairdon, 25, of Houlton, Hilary Walker, 20, of Vinalhaven and Owen Adair, 23, of Vinalhaven and charged them with trafficking methamphetamine.

Rairdon's bail was set at $800 and Walker's bail was $500. Adair was also charged Wednesday with violating conditions of release on previous unrelated charges, and is being held without bail, according to the release.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a possible methamphetamine lab on the island, and after conducting a preliminary investigation, deputies allegedly recognized several items consistent with manufacturing of the drug. The deputies secured the scene, which was a small tool shed in a back yard, and contacted the MDEA.

Members of the MDEA Laboratory Enforcement Team responded to Vinalhaven and according to the release, they determined that methamphetamine had been manufactured inside the shed. Agents also seized evidence, including a gas generator, chemicals and hosing.

MDEA agents also went to a home on Overlock Hill Road in Union and seized additional evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing, but said that no laboratory was located.

Maine Marine Patrol officers transported Rairdon, Walker and Adair off Vinalhaven to the mainland, where Rockland Police officers transported them to Knox County Jail.

According to the release, the owner of the Vinalhaven property where the laboratory was found was unaware of the drug manufacturing operation.

Agents also said that the investigation is continuing, and that additional arrests of those who both assisted in the methamphetamine manufacturing and purchased and furnished Pseudoephedrine, which is a main component in making the drug, were expected.

Also assisting were the Vinalhaven Fire Department and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

According to the MDEA, this is the first methamphetamine lab of the new year. The MDEA responded to 28 methamphetamine labs during 2014, in addition to seven other sites where remnants of methamphetamine manufacturing and laboratory materials were dumped.

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