A couple living in Washington face drug trafficking charges in the wake of a two-month investigation into what police say was the manufacture of methamphetamines.

Dustin Carpenter, 25, formerly of Washington County, Alabama, is charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine. Gina Glidden, 27, of the town of Washington, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and violating condition of release.

Police say Carpenter recently moved to the town.

According to information from Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Commander Scott J. Pelletier, the agency’s Mid-Coast District Task Force has been investigating the couple, who allegedly were buying components for methamphetamine manufacture, such as pseudoephedrine, solvents and lithium.

Methamphetamine is a powerful, addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

On Tuesday agents searched the couple’s home — at 92 Crystal Lake Road in Washington, which belongs to Glidden’s grandmother — and reported finding items used in methamphetamine manufacturing, including pseudoephedrine, lithium, processing vessels and a small amount of methamphetamine. The report from Pelletier indicated no active laboratory was present.

Carpenter and Glidden were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail.

Carpenter has a prior conviction for methamphetamine manufacturing in Alabama. His bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Glidden was out on bail on a pending heroin possession charge in Lincoln County, and she was denied bail on the new charge. She was due to appear Wednesday in Knox County Court.

Glidden’s grandmother and two others at the home Tuesday were not charged and were not a part of the investigation, according to information from the agency.

Police say this was the 21st methamphetamine-laboratory-related incident this year. Agencies assisting in the Washington investigation included the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and state police.

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