WARREN — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency announced the arrest of three individuals on Friday following the execution of a search warrant at a Warren home, where illegal drug trafficking had been under investigation for over a month.
Denise Richards, 63, Marissa Widdecomb, 34, and Claire Turner, 33, were apprehended at a residence on Eastern Road, with agents seizing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.
Richards faces five counts of aggravated unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, along with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and is being held on $25,000 cash bail by State Probation and Parole.
Widdecomb, charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful trafficking and an outstanding arrest warrant, is being held without bail.
Turner, arrested for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, is also held by State Probation and Parole.
The investigation into Richards commenced after a suspected overdose death at her residence on March 5.
Undercover MDEA agents managed to purchase fentanyl from both Richards and Widdecomb during the operation.
On April 17, agents, alongside Knox County Sheriff’s deputies, conducted the search of Richards’ home, resulting in the seizure of 30 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of fentanyl, and the handgun.
At the time of these events, Richards was on a “Stay of Execution of Sentence” following a guilty plea to unlawful trafficking in December last year.
She was due to begin a 5-month jail sentence on May 10.
The trio is scheduled to appear in Knox Unified Court today.
The MDEA, aided by local law enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to combating drug trafficking in Maine.
Citizens are encouraged to report drug-related information to the MDEA or seek assistance for substance use disorders through available resources.
