Pubdate: Thu, 24 Aug 2000
Source: Daily Times, The (MD)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Times
Contact:  (410) 749-7290
Author: Michael Schaefer

POLICE LOOK AT RURAL HEROIN

Somerset Plans To Increase Patrols

DEAL ISLAND -- The Somerset County Sheriff's Office plans to increase drug 
patrols after the recent arrest of four suspects for possessing and 
distributing heroin --- a dangerous narcotic they said is making a comeback 
on the Eastern Shore.  "We need to start focusing patrols on trhe more 
rural areas of the county." said Cpl. Nate Passwater.  "We have been seeing 
a lot more drug activity."

Somerset County deputies charged three men and one woman Thursday in a drug 
sting.  Passwater, said they had received numerous tips from residents 
about heavy drug activity.

"We had been conducting surveillance for quite some time," he said.

About seven deputies in marked and unmarked vehicles said they spotted 
suspected drug activity on the morning of Aug. 11 near the Amoco One Stop 
in Chance.  About five people were seen near one suspect's car, where the 
group was discussing drugs, police said.

After a search of the car, police confiscated five bags of suspected 
heroin, about 70 grams of marijuana and a scale.

Samuel Lynch, 20, of Dames Quarter and Lawrence Hamilton, 19, of Chance 
were charged with possession of narcotics, possession of paraphernalia and 
possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.  They were held on 
$40,000 bond,

Two 17-year-olds, a male and female, also were charged and released to the 
custody of their parents,

Statistics show heroin use is cyclical, but local police agencies say 
heroin-related crimes are on the rise.

Health officials also have noted an increase in heroin addiction,

According to the State Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Wicomico 
County had 36 cases in 1997 and 75 in 1998, the last year for which 
statistics are available.  Somerset County increased from 16 in 1997 to 39 
in 1998.

Police said factors contributing to the increase are the lower street 
price, increased purity and new delivery methods.

One-quarter of an ounce of heroin costs about $20 and the high lasts eight 
to 12 hours.  And heroin does not need to be injected, rather it can be 
snorted or smoked.

Baltimore and Philadelphia are major entry points for heroin that is 
transported to the Eastern Shore, police said.
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