Family of Five Charged With Trafficking In Fentanyl

Five people from the same family are accused of bringing fentanyl into the state and selling it in Lincoln and Knox counties.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says an investigation into the family's activities has been ongoing for the past two months. Agents learned that family members have been traveling to New Bedford, Massachusetts several times a week to purchase fentanyl that they would then sell in Knox and Lincoln counties.

Arrested as a result of that investigation are:

• Steven Libby, age 49 of Warren, who's charged with Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl. (the charge was elevated to aggravated due to a prior drug conviction) Bail is set at $2,500 cash.
• Michelle Libby, age 47 of Warren, who's charged with Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl. (charge is 'aggravated' due to the presence of a firearm during transaction) Bail is set at $1,500 cash.
• Amanda Thurston, age 29 of Friendship. She's charged with Trafficking fentanyl. Bail is set at $1,500 unsecured.
• Joseph Thurston, age 30 of Friendship. He's charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl. Bail is set at $1,500 unsecured.
• Ryan Carballo, age 34 and listed as a transient. He's charged with Trafficking Fentanyl and Violating Conditions of his Release. Carballo was out on bail for a pending fentanyl trafficking charge.

The Libby's are Amanda Thurston's parents and Ryan Carballo is their son-in-law. Joey Thurston is Amanda's husband. Last Friday, drug agents searched the Libby's home on Depot Street in Warren and the Thurston's home on Harbor Road in Friendship. Seized in that search were 20 grams of fentanyl, a handgun, $1,800 of suspected drug proceeds, and other evidence of trafficking.

Officials say more arrests are expected in connection with this case, and additional charges are also likely to be brought against the five arrested. The MDEA was assisted in this investigation by the Knox and Lincoln County Sheriff's Offices, Rockland and Maine State Police.