Rockland, Maine Police Seize Enough Fentanyl to Kill 25K People

An investigation into suspected illegal drug use at a home for the elderly and people with disabilities has resulted in 3 arrests.

Rockland, Maine Police Arrest 3 People on Drug Charges

Rockland Police have identified the three suspects:

• Mark Gagne, 43, transient, is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and a probation violation.
• Makayla Batty, 29, transient, is charged with several counts of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, violation of conditions of release, and an unrelated arrest warrant for possession of scheduled drugs.
• Tianna Brancella, 30, of Warren, is charged with felony aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs and violation of conditions of release.

All three suspects had histories of illegal drug activity.

Maine Police Investigate Suspected Drug Use at Subsidized Housing Complex

Rockland Officers responded at approximately 3:00 pm on Tuesday to the report of suspected illegal drug use at local subsidized housing for the elderly and those with disabilities.

Get our free mobile app

They spoke with several individuals well known to law enforcement, including those on probation, on bail conditions, and one with an active arrest warrant.

Gagne was released on probation just before this arrest, with underlying charges including trafficking of scheduled drugs and abuse of a corpse.

Batty was out on several sets of pre-conviction bail.

And Brancella was out on four sets of pre-conviction bail at the time of her arrest, including bail for several felony drug charges.

Rockland, Maine Police Seize Enough Fentanyl to Kill 25K People

Also during that investigation, officials seized 50 grams of fentanyl, as well as methamphetamine.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is 100 times more potent than morphine.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency considers 2 milligrams to be a fatal dose. That means the 50 grams of fentanyl seized in this investigation has the potential to kill up to 25 thousand people.

Anyone with information about suspected illegal drug activity is advised to report it to their local law enforcement agency.