The Frederick County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested 27 people from four states on drug-related charges, mostly involving heroin.
The charges stem from interdiction efforts targeting people moving drugs into or through Frederick County, Lt. Ron Hibbard said Monday. The sheriff’s office conducted traffic stops over several days in December.
Eighteen of the defendants are accused of possessing heroin or heroin paraphernalia. Two are charged with intent to distribute the drug. Others are charged with possessing cocaine, marijuana or OxyContin.
The defendants are from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Heroin is a growing problem in Frederick County and other areas of Maryland, with an increase in overdose deaths, News4’s Darcy Spencer reported.
Kat Richison, whose 31-year-old son died almost a year ago after overdosing on heroin and other drugs, applauded the sheriff’s effort. She belongs to a group called Bikers Against Heroin, which promotes awareness and education and helps young people get treatment.
