After fielding complaints from the community for several months about suspected drug trafficking out of a home in Auburn, police raided the property last week, resulting in the seizure of an estimated $90,000 worth of illegal drugs — including over four pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
Auburn Police say that they had been investigating the home on Country Club Drive in Auburn for several months and had connected a resident of the home, 41-year-old Luke Merriam, to the suspected illegal drug activity.
Police say Merriam was out on bail conditions for a previous drug trafficking charge from November of last year.
When Auburn Police Department’s Proactive Community Enforcement Unit (PACE) contacted Merriam at his home last week to conduct a bail compliance check, officers observed a male carrying a backpack running from the back of the house into a wooded area.
The male, identified by police as 46-year-old Nathon Taylor of Augusta, was found hiding behind a storage shed attempting to destroy a large bag of cocaine.
Police say that after officers took Taylor into custody, they located several other large packages of narcotics.
In total, a search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 1,898 grams (4.2 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, 331 grams of cocaine, 144 grams of fentanyl, 73 grams of heroin, and 21 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).
Police estimated the total street value of the seized drugs at approximately $90,000.
Merriam was placed under arrest and charged with five counts of aggravated trafficking schedule drugs, three counts of unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs (Class B), two counts of unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs (Class C), and violation of conditions of release.
He was transported to the Androscoggin County Jail where he was held without bail awaiting an appearance before a judge.
Nathon Taylor was also arrested and charged with five counts of aggravated trafficking schedule drugs, three counts of unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs (Class B), two counts of unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs (Class C), assault, refusing to submit to arrest and violation of conditions of release.
Police say the assault charge was added after Taylor allegedly spat in an officer’s face while being booked at the Androscoggin County Jail. Taylor was also held without bail pending his court appearance.
Also arrested at the home was 30-year-old Jessica Simmons of Gardiner, who police say was taken into custody on multiple outstanding warrants unrelated to this case.
“This investigation and the subsequent arrests are further examples of the positive outcomes that are possible when the citizens of Auburn, who care deeply about this community and our quality of life, are willing to get involved, alert police and cooperate with investigations,” Auburn Police stated in a Friday post to Facebook.
“We would also like to thank the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department deputies who responded to assist after hearing about the foot pursuit,” they wrote.
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