MDEA Agents Seize Meth Making Operation in Portage Lake

On Tuesday afternoon MDEA Agents assisted by state troopers and Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the home of Cleveland Long and Amber Pulcifer on the West Road in Portage Lake, ME.

A large amount of evidence related to the making of methamphetamine was found as well as a small amount of finished methamphetamine, which MDEA alleges was possessed with the intent to sell it.

After agents entered the home and did an initial hazard assessment, additional members of MDEA’s lab enforcement team responded from other areas of the state with special equipment and worked for several hours collecting evidence and disposing of hazardous materials.

Long had been under investigation for drug crimes for some time but it was not until this week that agents were able to develop sufficient evidence to seek a warrant from a judge.

Living in the residence with Long and Pulcifer, and home at the time of the search, was a two-year-old child. The child’s presence triggers the elevation of the criminal charges and also caused the child to be removed and turned over to Child Protective Services for health and safety reasons.

Long, 42, and Pulcifer, 33, were both arrested and charged with Class A, aggravated unlawful operation of a meth lab, as well as Class B, unlawful trafficking in methamphetamine. Long was already on bail for OAS and possession of drugs, so he is also charged with violating conditions of release. Both were taken to the Aroostook County Jail, where they remain. Bail is set for each at $2,000 cash.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Portage Lake Fire Department were also called in to help and provided invaluable assistance during the execution of this warrant.

This is the 27^th lab incident response for MDEA’s lab team so far this year. In 2017, the team responded to 58 incidents, 126 in 2016 and 56 in 2015.

Information on drug crimes may be reported to MDEA’s tip line at 800-452-6457.