Meth Lab Found in Vehicle in Bar Harbor

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says a methamphetamine manufacturing operation was discovered in a vehicle in Bar Harbor.

The Bar Harbor Police Department received a tip on Monday that two men were attempting to buy materials commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine. As part of this investigation, officers located a Jeep Liberty in Bar Harbor which they believed was being operated by those suspects.

In a joint effort between Bar Harbor Police and MDEA's Downeast District Task Force, a search warrant was executed Tuesday on that vehicle, where agents found evidence of a meth lab. Bar Harbor Officers located Zachary Rand hiding in the backseat of the Jeep. They also detained Joseph Schaefer, who was nearby.

The search of the vehicle turned up evidence consistent with that used to manufacture methamphetamine using the 'one-pot' or 'shake and bake' method. Also discovered was approximately 1 gram of meth in its consumable form.

• 25-year-old Zachary Rand of Southwest Harbor is charged with Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Meth. This charge was elevated to aggravated because of a prior drug conviction.
• 23-year-old Joseph Schaefer of Otter Creek is charged with Felony Class B Trafficking in Meth.

Both men were taken to the Hancock County Jail. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection assisted the Bar Harbor Police Department and the MDEA during the execution of the search warrant. MDEA Commander Peter Arno says the department will continue to work closely with the Bar Harbor Police Department on this investigation and that more arrests are probable.