WATERVILLE — What began as a call on a domestic dispute in downtown Waterville led police to uncover what they say is a crack cocaine and oxycodone ring based in New York City.

Police believe they have concluded a three-month investigation into the sale of the drugs, and arrested three Maine residents, one allegedly a member of the “Bloods” street gang.

Waterville police responded at approximately 2:20 p.m. Friday to Main Street for a report that a man was seen pushing a woman and grabbing her by the neck, according to a release from Waterville Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey.

Police located Dorian White, 26, of Waterville — formerly of New York City — and Ashley Loisel, 20, of Winslow, in front of the Waterville Fire Department. They arrested the pair on outstanding warrants and charged them with drug trafficking related to the ongoing investigation. White was allegedly found in possession of more than $14,000 cash, eight 30-milligram oxycodone pills and a small amount of marijuana. Police allegedly found more than $5,000 in cash hidden in Loisel’s bra.

Shortly thereafter, police executed a search warrant at 6 Union St., Apt. 3, and found two men, one of whom was searched and released.

The second man, Lamar Mitchell, 23, of Bangor, was allegedly concealing a .45-caliber Glock pistol in a shoulder holster, and a search of his vehicle turned up a single 30-milligram oxycodone pill with the same imprint as those allegedly seized from White, police said.

Police also allegedly found prescription pills and drug paraphernalia in the apartment, including “cutting agents” used by traffickers to prepare products for sale.

Police charged Mitchell with carrying a concealed weapon and felony possession of oxycodone. The female renter of the apartment was not home and was not arrested, but police say charges are pending.

According to the release, Waterville and Fairfield police and Maine Drug Enforcement agents believe White is involved in a New York City-based “drug trafficking organization” that is “fairly well organized” and that sends “supervisors” to check on their employees in other urban and suburban areas.

White was charged on a fugitive from justice warrant out of New York City, with two counts of Class B trafficking in scheduled drugs, and with unlawful possession of oxycodone.

Loisel was charged with one count of Class A and two counts of Class B trafficking in scheduled drugs, violating conditions of release and on warrants for failure to appear, operating after suspension and violating conditions of release.

During the course of the investigation, detectives, using confidential informants, allegedly purchased crack cocaine on two occasions from a man known as “Stacks” — later determined to be White. White was wanted by the New York Police Department for parole violation, according to Waterville police, and has a criminal history including convictions for possession of a loaded firearm, possession and sale of controlled substances and tampering with physical evidence.

According to the release, one way police confirmed White’s identity was by matching photos of a tattoo he has of “a gangster Spongebob Squarepants.”

Police, again using confidential informants, also allegedly purchased oxycodone twice and crack cocaine once from Loisel. Those buys indicated that the Union Street apartment was the center of the drug operation.

White is being held at the Kennebec County Jail without bail. The Kennebec County District Attorney’s office will work with New York City officials to determine if and when he will be extradited.

Loisel was unable to post $10,750 cash bail and was taken to the Kennebec County Jail, with a scheduled court date of Feb. 11.

Mitchell was released from the Waterville police station on $1,500 unsecured bail.

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