Police conduct a search Wednesday at 244 Pine St. as part of a drug and firearm investigation. Two young children were placed in Department of Health and Human Services custody due to unsafe conditions in the home, authorities said. Rumford Police Department Facebook photo

RUMFORD — A local man was arrested Wednesday as part of a drug and firearm investigation, according to a Thursday news release from the Rumford Police Department.

Alexander Taylor Kubesh, 33, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and possession of crack cocaine, all felonies, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Kubesh was transported to Oxford County Jail where he awaits a Friday arraignment, the release said.

Rumford police executed a search warrant around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at 244 Pine St. in Rumford with the assistance of Norway police, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

The warrant was issued in the ongoing investigation of unlawful firearm possession and drug trafficking spurred by reports from the community of alleged illegal activities at the residence, according to the release.

“The search operation involved two coordinated teams,” the release said. “One team took Kubesh into custody on Lincoln Avenue while the other team entered the residence to search for evidence.”

Once inside the home, officers said they were met by living conditions “severely unsanitary and unsafe,” raising concern for two children, ages 4 and 5, and two young dogs, the release said.

Police contacted the Department of Health and Human Services Child Protective Services and the children were taken into emergency custody. Rumford’s animal control officer took custody of the dogs, according to the release.

Officers allegedly discovered “gram quantities” of crack cocaine and fentanyl and a small amount of methamphetamine, which was seized by local police. Federal officers seized several pounds of processed cannabis. No firearms were present in the residence, the release said.

The investigation is ongoing and police are working with the prosecutor’s office, DHHS, animal control, and Rumford’s Code Enforcement and health officer to determine whether additional charges are warranted, the release said.