A Bronx, New York man was arrested Wednesday following a lengthy heroin investigation conducted by MDEA and Gardiner Police.

For several months, agents assigned to MDEA's South Central Task Force in Augusta have been working with Gardiner Police on an investigation involving the alleged distribution of heroin by Tyrone Sanders. The investigation included a number of undercover purchases of heroin from Sanders, one in a school zone.

Wednesday, Dec. 9, MDEA agents, Gardiner Police and deputies with the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office searched two residences in Gardiner where Sanders was believed to be selling the drugs from, 148 Brunswick Ave and 106 Highland Ave, according to a news release from the Maine Office of Public Safety. Seized at the homes were $,1500. in suspected drug proceeds, other evidence of drug trafficking and a small amount of cocaine. Sanders was taken into custody at the Brunswick Ave location as he was attempting to destroy evidence.

Charged so far are:
Tyrone Sanders, 27, Bronx, New York. Sanders has been charged with four counts of Class B Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (heroin), one count of Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs for the sale in the school zone, three counts of violating conditions of release and one count of falsifying physical evidence.

Nicole Stump, 29, of Gardiner was charged with violating her prior bail conditions as agents suspected she had recently used drugs.

Both Sanders and Stump were taken to the Kennebec County Jail where bail on Sanders was set at $50,000 cash. Stump will have to appear before a judge before bail is set.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely, police said.