AUGUSTA — Following a month-long investigation into drug trafficking in the Midcoast, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Tuesday night arrested three people and charged them with distributing heroin in Knox, Lincoln and Kennebec counties.

Arrested were James Millay, 42, of Thomaston, for a charge of aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs (heroin), class A; Jody Daniello, 35, of Thomaston, for a charge of trafficking in schedule drugs (heroin), class B; and Donna Johnson, 42, of China, for conspiracy to traffick in schedule drugs (heroin), class C.

For the past month, agents from the MDEA Mid-Coast and South Central District task forces had been conducting an investigation into the distribution of heroin in the three counties. According to MDEA Commander Scott Pelletier, the investigation revealed that Millay and Daniello would travel weekly from Thomaston to China to purchase heroin from Johnson and others. Millay and Daniello would then allegedly resell the heroin throughout Knox and Lincoln counties.

Tuesday night, Jan. 5, drug agents and Maine State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop of Millay's and Daniello's vehicle on Route 17 in Jefferson. Seized in the vehicle was 20 grams of heroin, according to Pelletier, which is equal to 200 doses.

Both were arrested and transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Later, agents searched Johnson's home, located on Fire Road 31 on China Lake, and allegedly found 39 grams (390 doses) of heroin, a loaded .38 caliber handgun and $5,000 of suspected drug proceeds.

Johnson was arrested and also taken to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Estimated street value of the heroin is $18,000.

Bail was set at $10,000 each and the three individuals are scheduled to appear in Wiscasset Unified Court on Feb. 25.

Pelletier said that the investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated.

In addition to State Polilce, deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s and Lincoln County Sheriff’s departments assisted MDEA with the investigation and arrests.

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of drugs is urged to contact the nearest MDEA or call the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.