BANGOR – A Waldo County husband and wife arrested 10 days ago with close to 1,000 small bags of heroin in their vehicle will be taken to separate rehabilitation facilities in Massachusetts today after their release from jail.

James L. Northup Jr., 35, of Swanville and his wife, Melissa Northup, 42, have appeared at two hearings so far at U.S. District Court in Bangor. They have been jailed since their Feb. 17 arrest. On Friday, Feb. 23, Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Kravchuk ordered them released Feb. 27 with the condition that they proceed immediately to treatment facilities before further court action takes place in the matter.

Law enforcement officials say the arrests may signal a wider scope investigation of heroin in the area with more arrests expected soon.

The Northups are charged in a complaint with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and aiding and abetting the commission of that crime. They face years in prison if convicted.

According to a court affidavit, the Northups were suspected for a while of being drug dealers by law enforcement officials in Waldo County. Maine State Police arrested them the evening of Feb. 17 in Liberty as they headed home from a trip to Rhode Island. Two children, ages 3 and 9, were in the vehicle. They are believed to be the children of James Northup from a previous relationship.

A search of the van revealed approximately 845 bags of heroin and $2,400 in cash. James Northup also is known as Travis Dyer.

The pair was taken to Waldo County Jail. A day later an agent from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrived at the jail and spoke with Melissa Northup. She said she and her husband had traveled to Providence, R.I., Feb. 16 and purchased 20 bricks of heroin. One brick equals 50 bags and sells for $160. A total of $3,200 was paid for the heroin, according to a court affidavit.

Melissa Northup said she and her husband both had used heroin before leaving for Maine. She stated she had used 50 bags of heroin on Feb. 16 and that she thought her husband had done the same. On the next day they each used 15 bags of heroin.

Melissa Northup stated she had been to Rhode Island twice that week to purchase heroin and that she had been using the Rhode Island supplier for about six months. Melissa Northup said she would sell a brick of heroin in Maine for about $350.