RUMFORD — Five people were arrested Wednesday in a multi-agency effort to address the growing problem of drug trafficking and drug use in the River Valley, Rumford Police Chief Stacy L. Carter.

Taken into custody were Tyron R. Calhoun, 22, of Auburn, Paul Litalien Jr., 30, of Mexico, Joshua Messier, 31, of Mexico, Tausha Plante, 38, of Rumford, and Jonathan Smith, 27, of Mexico.

The Project Hot Spot detail in Rumford and Mexico was conducted by the Rumford Police Department, in collaboration with the Mexico Police Department, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, Maine Probation and Parole and the Maine Department of Corrections, Carter said in a press release Thursday afternoon.

Four teams of police officers spread out over the two towns, checking people on probation, those out on bail or deferred disposition and those with warrants for their arrest.

Calhoun was arrested on Falmouth Street on a charge of refusing to submit to arrest or detention, violation of conditions of release, possession of marijuana and a warrant from Androscoggin County charging violation of bail on previous drug trafficking charges. He was transported to the Oxford County Jail in Paris and has a court date of Sept. 14.

When officers attempted to make contact with Calhoun he ran, jumped into the Androscoggin River and eventually surrendered, Carter said.

Litalien was arrested on Main Street in Mexico on a warrant charging criminal mischief. He was transported to the Oxford County Jail and posted $1,000 cash bail.

Messier was arrested on a charge of operating after suspension. He was released on $600 unsecured bail with a court date of Sept. 14.

Plante was arrested on Maine Avenue in Rumford on a warrant charging contempt of court. She was released on $250 cash bail.

The teams issued a total of 15 summonses on charges that included violation of conditions of release, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of scheduled drugs. Heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and alcohol were seized. A stolen firearm was seized by police in Mexico and that case is under investigation.

Also Wednesday, authorities also executed three search warrants, one in Mexico and two in Franklin County, Chief Carter said. As a result, Smith was arrested on a charge of aggravated trafficking in a schedule W drug. He was transported to the Oxford County Jail. Heroin, marijuana, a pistol and $2,832 in cash were seized.

“Working collaboratively is so beneficial as we do not have the manpower to take this problem on by ourselves,” Carter wrote in the release. “Residents can be assured that we will continue to aggressively address the drug crimes in this area and are encouraged to reach out either in person or anonymously with information that will assist this endeavor. The current drug problems in the area have sent the amount of burglaries and thefts on the rise as those with addiction try and support their habit.”

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