WENATCHEE — Two people were arrested on drug charges after the Columbia River Drug Task Force executed a search warrant Tuesday morning on a suspected, longtime drug house in the 1600 block of Maiden Lane.

Spencer J. Blaikie, 56, the homeowner, was arrested on suspicion of using a building for unlawful drug purposes. Scott A. Mitchell, 45, Peshastin, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. Task force detective Jeff Dilks said Mitchell possessed pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Task force members confiscated heroin paraphernalia and trace quantities of drugs inside the house, Dilks said. In an outbuilding, they found a tank of anhydrous ammonia, which is used to manufacture methamphetamine.

“This is basically a user flop house where people come to use drugs,” Dilks said. People who hang out there are 40-some to 50-some, broken down old heroin junkies.”

Dilks said he was able to obtain a warrant to arrest Mitchell at the residence, based on pharmacy reports of purchases of pseudoephedrin products in December at several local pharmacies. Pseudoephedrin is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Anyone purchasing pseudoephedrin must show identification, which goes into a state data base that Dilks regularly monitors.

Once inside the residence, Dilks said, he saw drug paraphernalia and asked a judge to amend the search warrant so he could search the house and outbuildings.

Dilks said the house has been a concern to neighbors for suspected drug use for about 10 years.