Three Augusta residents are charged with drug offenses after police say they uncovered a stash of heroin Wednesday during a search of a Washington Street apartment.

Cmdr. Peter Arno, of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, said in a news release that the warranted search of the home at 51 Washington St. uncovered about 12 grams of heroin with a street value of $4,500. Arno said police also found a handgun, $2,000 cash and “other evidence of drug trafficking.”

Arno said two children, ages 1 and 2, were home at the time of the search. The children are now in custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Charged in connection with the raid were Katelyn Nicole Dillingham, 19, and Robert Louis Desjardins, 23, who were each charged with class B trafficking in heroin. Baron Joseph Thompson, 37, of Augusta, was charged with class C possession of heroin.

Bail was set at $1,000 cash for both Dillingham and Thompson, and $10,000 cash for Desjardins.

The search concluded a month-long investigation conducted by the MDEA and Augusta police. The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police assisted those agencies with the search, Arno said.

“The search warrant was sought as part of an investigation involving the undercover purchase of heroin from individuals living at this address,” Arno said.

Arno encouraged those with information about drug trafficking to call local law enforcement or the closest MDEA task force office. He said tips also can be left on the MDEA’s tip line at 800-452-6457.


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