Three individuals from Maine and two from Massachusetts are at the Waldo County Jail following a drug bust, authorities say.

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The Maine Department of Public Safety says the arrests came on the heels of a lengthy investigation into what authorities believed was a meth and cocaine trafficking operation based out of two Searsport homes, one being 22 Homestead Lane and the other 119 Loop Road in Searsport.

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According to spokesperson Shannon Moss, members of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the State Police, the Searsport Police Department and the Waldo County Sheriff's Office have been working together to gather evidence over the past several months. When they searched both properties money, drugs and guns were found, authorities say, leading to five arrests.

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"With the aid of the Maine State Police tactical team, Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and Searsport PD, the warrants were executed in the early morning hours...As a result of the search Agents seized $4390 in suspected drug proceeds and 70 grams of methamphetamine, 24 grams of cocaine and 2 firearms...As a result of the search agents located 28 firearms and 29 grams of methamphetamine.
The estimated street value of the Drugs is $12,400.00."

Three people from Searsport were arrested: 65-year old David Hersom, 47-year-old Melissa Dyer and 42-year-old Holly Jo Ward. Hersom and Dyer are charged with Unlawful Trafficking, with bail set for both at $2,500 cash. Ward is charged with Aggravated Trafficking, and is being held on $750 cash bail.

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Also arrested in connection with the bust were 20-year-old Yandril Mateo-Nunez and 22-year-old Nelkis Alexander Villalona-Perez, both of Lawrence, Mass. Both face charges of Aggravated Trafficking and are being held on $10,000 cash bail.

All five individuals are currently in jail, awaiting their first court appearance.

The Maine DEA encourages anyone with knowledge of illegal drug activity in the state of Maine, to reach out to them by calling their tip-line at 1-800-452-6457, or texting MDEA to TIP411.

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