Ellsworth/Mount Desert, Maine-
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 6 people from Ellsworth and Mt. Desert were arrested and charged with a various drug offenses following a three-month investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
MDEA’s Downeast Task Force, with the assigned responsibility of Washington and Hancock Counties, recently opened an investigation into the suspected distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine occurring from residences located at 1261 Main Street in Mount Desert and 6 Kylie’s Way in Ellsworth. This investigation included numerous undercover purchases of illicit drugs from both residences.
As part of this investigation, at approximately 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, search warrants were executed on both the Ellsworth and Mt. Desert homes. As a result of these searches, agents recovered approximately 35 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 200 strips of Suboxone, other diverted pharmaceutical drugs and approximately $9000 in suspected drug proceeds.
Charged thus far as a result of these investigations are the following:
Mount Desert Residence
1. Alfred “Alphie” LANPHER (54) of Mount Desert- Charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Fentanyl and Cocaine Base). These charges were aggravated due to a prior drug trafficking conviction. No bail allowed.
2. Justin BENT (36) of Southwest Harbor- Charged with Class D Unlawful possession of cocaine. Currently being held on a probation hold.
3. Carl CARTER (55) of Mount Desert- Charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Fentanyl. No bail allowed.
4. Ian JELLISON (42) of Southwest Harbor- Charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking in Fentanyl. Jellison was out on bail from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the time of this arrest stemming from August 2023 drug trafficking arrest in that state following the discovery of a significant amount of cocaine and fentanyl in a vehicle in which he occupied. No bail allowed (see link below for more details on Massachusetts offenses).
Troopers Arrest Two Men Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine (mspnews.org)
Kylie’s Way Residence
1. Jeffrey CARD (48) of Ellsworth- Charged with Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Methamphetamine. At the time of this arrest, Card was out on bail for a separate drug trafficking offense from March of 2023. No bail allowed.
2. Shannon STANLEY (37) of Tremont- Charged with Class A Trafficking in Fentanyl. This charged was aggravated due to a previous drug trafficking conviction. No bail allowed.
It is anticipated that all those charged will make an initial court appearance in Hancock County at 1:00 pm Friday, January 26, 2024.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assisting the MDEA in this investigation were the Bar Harbor-Mount Desert and Ellsworth Police Department’s, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Booking photos are available from the Hancock County Jail.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the State of Maine. This investigation is continuing, and more arrests are likely.
If you suffer with substance use disorder please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.