TOKING UP ON TURKEY ISLAND

Hamilton Police were tipped off, Wednesday, April 20, at approximately 2
p.m., that several youths were going to Turkey Island to smoke marijuana
and drink alcohol.

A resident of Asbury Grove confirmed he had seen some youngsters walking in
the direction of the island, a small patch of dry land surrounded by the
Great Wenham Swamp.

There are only a few trails out to the area, most of which are muddy or
under water at this time of year. The easiest access to the island is on a
trail at the back of the Asbury Grove property. From there, Turkey Island
is about a 30-minute walk.

Hamilton Police Chief Walter Cullen authorized overtime to ensure the town
was covered while a small team of officers took to the trail on foot. The
group in blue included Det. Ken Nagy, Det. Stephen Trepanier, Lt. Bob
Nyland, Sgt. Paul Grant, and officers Michael Marchand, Mike Wetson, David
Mastrianni and Sean Cullen.

About 20 minutes along the muddy trail, officers observed seven youngsters
walking on the trail. A search of the suspects and their backpacks
uncovered several bags of marijuana, marijuana cigarettes, and
paraphernalia with drug residue.

The subjects were identified and determined to be juveniles, four boys and
three girls, all from either Hamilton, Beverly or Danvers.

The subjects were placed under arrest, escorted out of the swamp and
transported to the Hamilton police station, where they were later released
to their parents, pending an appearance in the Newburyport Juvenile Court.