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.