BYRON – A five-month investigation by three law enforcement agencies culminated Tuesday in the arrest of two men on cocaine charges.

Glendon Whyte, 44, of 388 Swift River Road in Byron was charged with aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, a Class A felony, and unlawful possession of cocaine powder.

He was released on $11,000 surety bail from the Rumford police department Tuesday evening.

Christopher Taylor, 43, of 2 Taylor Road in Dixfield, was charged with two counts of trafficking in crack cocaine and cocaine powder, Class B felonies, and violation of conditions of release. Bail was denied because Taylor violated release conditions, and he was transported to Oxford County Jail in Paris.

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Tony Milligan stated in a press release Thursday that the investigation by Rumford police, MDEA and Oxford County police was initiated by reports from residents that Whyte was allegedly using and distributing cocaine in the greater Rumford area.

Using a search warrant, officers entered Whyte’s home and seized prepackaged cocaine, valued at less than $1,000, and evidence supporting the manufacturing of crack cocaine, Milligan stated.

Ten years ago, Whyte was arrested by the drug enforcement agency on cocaine charges, Milligan said. He was found guilty by the U.S. District Court in Portland and sentenced a five-year federal prison term in Pennsylvania, Milligan stated.

Due to that conviction, Whyte is now facing from four to 40 years in prison if convicted on Tuesday’s charges.

In Dixfield, Oxford County deputies joined Dixfield officers in executing a search warrant at Taylor’s home. There, they seized bulk and prepackaged cocaine, which has an estimated value of more than $3,000, Milligan stated.

The cocaine seized was ready for distribution, he added. Evidence supporting the manufacturing of crack cocaine was also seized.

Taylor was out on bail on unrelated charges at the time of the search, which required him to submit to random search and drug testing, as well as refraining from committing any new criminal offenses, Milligan stated.

A third search warrant for evidence of cocaine distribution was executed in Rumford following the Dixfield search.

That one, by Rumford and Mexico police, MDEA agents, Oxford and Franklin County deputies, began at 2 a.m. Wednesday at a residence on Hall Hill Road.

More than $6,000 in suspected drug proceeds was found as well as two firearms, some marijuana, and other evidence, Milligan stated.

The Hall Hill Road suspect is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a previous felony conviction for cocaine trafficking, he said.

That person was not arrested early Wednesday morning pending further investigation.