BANGOR — Authorities have arrested eight people and have arrest warrants for six more in connection with an 18-month-long state and federal investigation into the introduction of the drug commonly known as bath salts into the Bangor area in 2011.

Those arrested are: Ryan Ellis, 34, formerly of Greenbush; Alan Ketchen, 40, formerly of Bangor; Jamie Lewis, 38, formerly of Bangor; Jacob Gagnon, 24, of Van Buren; Adam Hathorn, 33, of Bangor; Daniel Hines, 37, formerly of Bangor; April Kane, 27, of Gorham; and Gina Nelson, formerly of Bangor.

All of those arrested have been charged with drug conspiracy, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Ellis was additionally charged with using a residence at 49 Lonnie Loop in Old Town for the purpose of distributing and using bath salts, possessing firearms while using or being addicted to a controlled substance and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to court records.

Ketchen was additional charged with using a residence at 10 Blackstone St. in Bangor for distributing and using bath salts.

The investigation was primarily conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration focused on criminal activity that took place between April 1, 2011, and the end of 201l, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and court records.

All 14 people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Bangor. So far only Gagnon has been arraigned in court. Gagnon pleaded not guilty.

Staff Writer Scott Dolan can be contacted at: 791-6304 or at:

sdolan@mainetoday.com