Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 Source: Delaware County Daily Times (PA) Copyright: 2006 The Daily Times Contact: http://www.delcotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1284 Author: Rose Quinn, Times Staff Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or officials. TWO DEATHS PROBED FOR LINK TO KILLER HEROIN CHESTER - Two deaths may be linked to a rash of bad heroin that has sickened as many as 16 people and resulted in the arrest of 13 people since Monday. Delaware County Medical Examiner Dr. Fredric N. Hellman said he would conduct two autopsies today on "two individuals where drug use is one of the potential considerations," though definitive test results could take weeks. In the meantime, Chester Narcotics Sgt. Joseph Bail said on Thursday that investigators have found a more potent brand of bad heroin - which is heroin laced with fentanyl - in packages labeled "Takeover" for sale on city streets. "This stuff is more like fentanyl laced with heroin than the other way around," Bail said. Two men were charged with dealing suspected heroin Thursday following hours-long surveillance in the 900 block of Walnut Street on Thursday morning. Bail identified the alleged dealers as [Name redacted], 44, of the 2800 block of North 12th Street in Philadelphia, and [Name redacted], 39, of the 900 block of Walnut Street in Chester. Both men were in possession of quantities of suspected heroin packages labeled "Assassin." The "Assassin" brand was not commonly associated with bad heroin until a batch appeared on the streets in recent days, according to Bail. Investigators apprehended [Name redacted] and [Name redacted] after observing what appeared to be a number of drug sales. Bail said the suspected heroin was turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police lab for further testing. "The way I see it, people are (apparently) dying now. The lab has more important stuff to do now," Bail said. The following people were charged with drug possession as a result of Thursday's surveillance: * [Name redacted], 47, of the 1900 block of West 12th Street, who was allegedly in possession of one bag of heroin packaged with the "Assassin" label. * [Name redacted], 49, of Upland Avenue in Upland, who was allegedly in possession of four bags of heroin. * [Name redacted], 59, of the 100 block of Harvey Avenue in Linwood, who was allegedly in possession of 14 bags. * [Name redacted], 41, of Brookhaven. She complained of being sick and was taken to Crozer-Chester Medical Center and will be formally charged with possession of six bags at a later date. * [Name redacted], 40, of Glenolden Avenue in Glenolden, who was in a car with Rhodes, was charged with possession of six bags. * [Name redacted], 44, of the 1200 block of 11th Street in Eddystone, who was allegedly in possession of two bags. * [Name redacted], 32, of Tamaqua, was charged with tampering with evidence after she was observed making an alleged buy but apparently discarded the evidence, according to Bail. On Wednesday, authorities arrested [Name redacted], 31, of Chester Township, for dealing heroin. Three people were arrested for possession: [Name redacted], 26, of Brookhaven; [Name redacted], 32, and [Name redacted], 20, both of Collingdale. [Name redacted] was taken to Crozer after ingesting the suspected heroin, Bail said. "We know for a fact that they warned one of these people and they bought it anyway," said Bail. "It really gives new meaning to the word dope." Marcus Hook Mayor George McClure said Thursday night that borough police were investigating two potential heroin overdoses. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman