STRONG – Two men face charges of aggravated drug trafficking after police searched a home at 118 North Main St. next to the town’s elementary school.

Arrested on New Year’s Day were Carl D. Chadbourne, 46, and Anthony J. Perrone Jr., 47. Police searched the two-story home owned by Chadbourne, who lives there with his mother and rents a second-floor, rear apartment to Perrone.

Police found about 4.5 pounds of what they believe is locally harvested and processed marijuana in a garage and a freezer in an apartment on the property. The estimated value was set at between $11,000 and $13,500.

Also found were a triple-beam scale and plastic bags for weighing and packaging the weed, said Gerry Baril, a supervisor with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

They also found two large trash bags filled with “shake” or the leaves clipped from the marijuana plant, and estimate the total weight to be at least 10 pounds. They also found a metal high intensity grow light and a box and grain bag stuffed with remnants of marijuana plants.

Two more grain bags filled with harvested and stripped marijuana plants were found in a shed on the rear of the property.

It was unclear where the marijuana was grown or harvested, Baril said.

Because the home is less than 1,000 feet from an elementary school, the charge was bumped up to aggravated trafficking, Baril said. If the entire haul weighs more than 20 pounds, the charge could be bumped up again to a felony, he said.

Police sought the warrants after a routine traffic stop, Baril said. Chadbourne was a passenger in the vehicle which carried some cardboard boxes. The deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana and asked about the boxes. Chadbourne said the boxes were from his home and contained home-brewed wine. The car owner was sent on his way but police began an investigation and secured the warrants.

A home winery located in a spare room adjacent to the kitchen in Perrone’s rented apartment was also found, he said.

Maine Drug Enforcement Agents were assisted at the scene by Maine State Police, Franklin County Sheriff Department officers and two canine officers, Baril said.

Both suspects were released from the Franklin County jail on $1,500 cash bail each. They are expected to appear in court on March 20.