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Gorham man accused of manufacturing methamphetamine arrested outside church

This is the second arrest of 37-year-old Matthew Cole in the past six months for allegedly operating methamphetamine laboratories.

GORHAM, Maine — A Gorham man accused of conducting drug deals and operating a methamphetamine lab was arrested Sunday afternoon.

This is the second time 37-year-old Matthew Cole has been arrested for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine in the past six months, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a news release.

Cole was arrested and charged with unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory and violation of conditional release (pending charges of unlawful operation of methamphetamine laboratory and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person from May 5, 2023), according to the release.

Cole was reportedly free on bail for drug, theft, and firearm charges when Gorham police arrested him for the second time in six months around noon on Sunday. Officers found him outside the First Parish Congregational Church located at 1 Church St. after receiving a call about a possible drug deal in the area.

"Cole had numerous backpacks, bags, and other items to include what officers recognized as 'One Pot Methamphetamine Laboratories,' both of which were in the active stages of the process of producing methamphetamine and next to the Church’s outside wall. Due to the extreme chance of explosion and or fire, the area was evacuated for safety, to include the occupied church. Cole was subsequently arrested for possessing approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine," the release stated.

The Gorham Fire Department also responded to the call to monitor the laboratories, while waiting for the MDEA Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CDLET) to collect samples of evidence.

When lab teams arrived at the scene, they found lithium, Coleman Fuels, and other toxic items. All toxic byproducts from the lab were turned over to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for proper disposal.

"Due to the ever-increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine from the South West border, one pot methamphetamine laboratory responses have become less frequent in the state from 52 in 2018, 35 in 2019, 8 in 2020, 2 in 2021, 0 in 2022, and presently 4 in 2023," the release said.

Cole was taken to the Cumberland County Jail and was scheduled to appear in Portland Unified Court on Monday at 1 p.m.

If you suffer from substance use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.

If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip line at 1-800-452-6457.

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