AUGUSTA — Seven individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement with trafficking heroin and crack cocaine in Knox and Lincoln counties. They were arrested today after a month-long investigation by Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Waldoboro Police, according to Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Commander Scott J. Pelletier.

Arrested were:

• Chas Echols, 24, of Rochester, N.Y., for aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, Class A
•  Rashad Newsome, 24, of Rochester, N.Y., for aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, Class A
• Brianna Parlin, 24, of Rockland, for trafficking in heroin and crack cocaine, Class B
• Felichia Glidden, 22, of Waldoboro, for trafficking in crack cocaine, Class B
• Chris Knight, 24, of Rockland, for felony possession of heroin, Class C, and violating bail conditions.
• Harley Winchenbach, 23, of Waldoboro, for aggravated trafficking in heroin, Class A, and (two) arrest warrants for unpaid fines.
• Sydni Barham, 28, of Rockland, for trafficking in heroin and crack cocaine, Class B.

For the past month, agents from the Mid-Coast District Task Force, along with investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Waldoboro Police, conducted an investigation into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine by out-of-state drug traffickers, according to a news release from the MDEA.

The investigation revealed that Echols and Newsome would allegedly rent cars weekly to travel back and forth from New York to Maine. Each trip, they allegedly transported heroin and crack cocaine to be sold in Thomaston, Rockland and Waldoboro.

Echols and Newsome were also allegedly assisted in their drug trafficking by a number of Maine residents, including Parlin, Glidden, Winchenbach and Barham, police said.

“These locals assisted by selling heroin and crack cocaine, recruiting new customers and evading police by allowing Echols and Newsome to frequently change locations by the use of their apartments as trafficking locations,” the release said. “During the past month, undercover agents were able to make purchases of heroin and crack from several members of the group.”

Early on Feb. 10, drugs agents searched 44 Staley Lane in Waldoboro, the home of Glidden and Winchenbach. Police there arrested Echols, Newsome, Parlin and Glidden.

All were transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Police seized from the residence was approximately 40 grams of crack cocaine, six grams of heroin, Suboxone Strips and the prescription drug Ritalin.

Packaging materials and $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized. Approximate street value of the seized drugs is $10,000.

Knight and Winchenbach were arrested after the car they were in was stopped by Waldoboro Police leaving the Staley Lane residence.

A small amount of heroin was seized from Knight at that time, police said. Both were transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. 

Agents and Rockland Police arrested Sydni Barham at her Broadway Street apartment in Rockland. The apartment was one of the apartments used by Echols and Newsome to sell their drugs, police said. Barham was transported to the Knox County Jail. Agents anticipate additional charges and arrests this week as part of this investigation and anticipated grand jury action.

Bail has been set at;

• Echols, Newsome and Winchenbach, $50,000 cash each.
• Parlin and Glidden, $5,000 cash each.
• Knight, no bail due to bail violation
• Barham, bail to be set.

Also assisting throughout the investigation and search warrant were representatives from the Maine Warden Service, Thomaston Police, Knox Sheriff's Office and the Investigation Unit of the Maine State Prison.