A Jefferson woman faces charges of possessing a prescription narcotic and 11 hypodermic needles after police arrested her on Main Street in Damariscotta Feb. 22.
Matthew J. Kinney, 30, of Bremen, and Chelsea L. Phillips, 24, of Jefferson, were walking south on Main Street in the vicinity of Great Salt Bay Community School at about 4 p.m. Saturday, Damariscotta Patrol Officer Jason Warlick said.
Warlick knew Kinney had an outstanding warrant for delinquent fines out of Wiscasset District Court. He arrested Kinney on the warrant. Phillips also had outstanding warrants out of Ellsworth District Court.
Warlick searched Phillips’ backpack and found prescription pills, 11 hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia. Most of the needles appeared to have been used.
The police department suspects the drug to be Suboxone. The Maine State Police Crime Laboratory will test the substance. Phillips did not have a prescription for the drug.
Suboxone is a prescription narcotic intended to treat dependency on opiates like heroin and oxycodone. The drug is subject to abuse.
Warlick arrested Phillips and transported the couple to jail. Phillips posted $500 cash bail Feb. 24.
Phillips faces Class D counts of possession of hypodermic apparatuses and possession of schedule W drugs. A Class D crime has a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
She has prior convictions for assault, criminal trespass, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and violating conditions of release, according to Warlick.
The Damariscotta Police Department takes a zero tolerance stance when it comes to illegal drugs.
“We take it very seriously in our town,” Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young said.
“If you have drugs, you can expect to go to jail,” Warlick said.
