Dealers now have their own pill presses, explains Drug Enforcement Administration agent Robert Grob at a recent Drug Take Back Day, a collaboration between the Hagerstown Police Department, county health department, and the DEA that encourages local residents to turn in leftover medication for safe disposal. On Tuesday afternoon, the following people were brought into custody: Thor Swenson, two counts of distribution of heroin. Or an illegal immigrant? One (seemingly) solid mayor, Republican Donald Frush, who served from 1981-1985 and was known as the Father of Planning in Washington County, disappeared during his campaign for a second term and was found by a reporter at a Johns Hopkins psych ward. Along with a prescription for the anti-seizure medication Topamax, his family doctor prescribed him Vicodin to be taken after each episode. The rear of North and Locust Food Mart. Thamar Smith, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Earlier this spring, Keller, the city councilwoman who lost her best friend to an overdose, announced that the city would be joining several hundred municipalities, counties, and states in pursuing legal action against the nations largest drugmakers, alleging that they played a key role in launching the opioid epidemic. Just like all shopping centers it's half empty now and easy to find parking. In addition to Mota, the news release listed those indicted in connection with the alleged operation as: All but 11 of the defendants had been arrested as of Wednesday. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Opioid crisis:Hagerstown, Washington County closer to seeing some opioid settlements, Drug deaths:Fatal drug overdoses hit record levels during COVID. Brooke died while waiting for insurance approval for a $700 monthly shot of Vivitrol, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. All it takes is a little fentanylor a microgram of carfentanyl, which is 100 times more potent. But how many people do you know that have been attacked by a terrorist? Plainspoken but good-natured, and a well-respected journalist, Elliott started atTheHerald-Mailin 1970. In 2016 (the most recent year available), an average of 113 prescriptions for opioids were written for every 100 Washington County residentsnearly twice the national average. More than 80 percent of students at three Hagerstown public schools receive free or reduced-priced lunches. This pooling of investigative resources benefits each investigative unit with increased manpower, less duplication of effort, and by coordinating the targeting of drug offenders. He blames forces beyond the citys reach, as well as futile and often misguided leadership. 34 indicted federally; feds allege drug ring that spanned West Virginia Having beautiful open spaces is important, and its important to have a connection to your community, says city engineer Rodney Tissue, who moved to Hagerstown in 1986 and raised his two daughters here. A block away, the City of Hagerstown opened the artist-run Engine Room Art Space and four artist apartments above it in 2015, which also breathes some life into the city. I was gonna overdose and kill myself.. They dont stand a chance., The societal ripple effect of the opioid epidemic cant be overstated, says Piercy, who doesnt have to look any farther than outside his downtown Potomac Street office window to witness people nodding and passing out. Neither did the Washington County health officer or then-Hagerstown Police Chief Arthur Smith, who questioned the wisdom of opening a methadone clinic in a city that, he claimed, did not have a heroin problem. HAGERSTOWN, Md. He couldnt hold down a job for more than a month or two, he says, and bounced around from one employer to the next: cleaning bathrooms, painting houses, waiting tables, making pizza. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. A drug bust by Hagerstown (MD) Police Department early this morning resulted in the confiscation of crack cocaine and nearly $4,000 in cash. on the U.S. Department of Justice website. The first search was in the 500 block of Lynnehaven Drive in Hagerstown. The NFT is housed within the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)at the DEAs Hagerstown Office. An official website of the United States government. A Hagerstown. If you are in immediate danger dial 911. The indictment also calls for the forfeiture of $400,000 in cash, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition and six vehicles, all believed to be proceeds of the drug conspiracy. The NTF is responsible for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of persons who violate the controlled dangerous substance laws of Maryland, regardless of the sophisitication of the illicit operation. basketball state quarterfinal highlights, D.C. high school basketball playoffs highlights (3/3/23), Maryland high school basketball playoffs highlights, Court docs reveal videos fmr. When the University System of Maryland satellite campus at University Plaza was established in the city center in 2005, it was the first time anything like that had moved into town in decades: something big, with money behind it and staying power. The crisis, he says, is driving a dramatic increase in infant mortality rates, a bellwether for other social problems. Smith and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Smith will be sentenced to 92 months in federal prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. From the early 1970s onward, there was a vacuumeconomically, socially, politically, culturally. News FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation Thats how strong the grip of this addiction is.. A list of the indicted individuals is available on the U.S. Department of Justice website. Additionally, in less than one month, Smith and Tyler contacted each other 714 times by cell phone. Police say most of these deals happened in broad daylight. Christina Trenton Nee, COO, and Charlie Mooneyhan, CEO, of Wells House. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Still, they are something of a Hail Mary pass for municipalities. A Hagerstown appliance store was allegedly used as a hub for the illegal activities. People often use the term self-medicating to describe why people use drugs or alcohol, says Ron Zuskin, a licensed clinical social worker and former University of Maryland faculty member who has worked in Western Maryland. Im not in economic development, but you also cant help but wonder, how do you build a workforce and attract new businesseswhich we desperately needwhen this is happening everywhere in your community?. I wanted to knock down doors and haul bad guys off to jail, and thats what I did for 30 years., Since his daughters death, Simmers and Brooke's stepmother, Dana, have been very public about sharing their experience, sparing none of their familys worst moments and pain. For the past 44 years, since Valley Mall was built on the outskirts of town, shuttering the department stores, retail shops, restaurants, theaters, and five and dimes, there have been hopes of reviving Hagerstowns once-thriving city center. I cannot count the number of friends who have died after I almost did, says Katie Wetzel, 27, a recovering addict in Hagerstown who is now married with three kids. The City Council will likely be forced to raise property taxes again this year. The indictment also lists items requested for forfeiture that include more than $400,000 in cash, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition, and six vehicles, all believed to be proceeds from the drug trafficking conspiracy. Drug bust nets cocaine, cash - Franklin County Free Press The bust began in the late afternoon Monday as Grant was contacted to do a deal involving an informant, and was taken into custody inside the Sheetz on Potomac Avenue, Kerns said. FBI arrests 30 in drug sweep across Western Pa.; 3 remain at large United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA and the Washington County Narcotics Task Force for their work in the investigation. EASTON, Md. After several months of investigation and the help of several agencies, nine people have been indicted for allegedly being apart of a drug trafficking organization in two Maryland Eastern Shore counties. On June 29, the task force said agents presented cases to a Grand Jury that resulted in the indictment of 16 Hagerstown residents. A dog tied up behind Byers Market on North Burhans Boulevard. As stated in his plea agreement, on August 9, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Smiths Hagerstown, Maryland residence. Through further investigation, law enforcement determined that Smith supplied narcotics to Tyler and Eddie Ware, Hagerstown, Maryland heroin and fentanyl drug dealers. HAGERSTOWN, MD Five Hagerstown residents have been arrested after a major drug and weapons bust February 9th announced by The Washington County Sheriff's Office and its law enforcement partners this week. icki Sterling, director of the Washington County Health Departments Division of Behavorial Health Services, says the turning point for the county in addressing the opioid epidemic was the death of former Hagerstown police sergeant Kevin Simmers daughter, Brooke, who overdosed on heroin 10 days after she had been released from a four-month prison stay. Michael Anthony Holland, 36, of Hurlock, Maryland. The number of child abuse cases has gone up. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. All rights reserved. The school started with 85 students but this year surpassed 300, even though that meant holding classes in hallways and stairwells. Jackie Devon Thompson, 41, of Frederick, Md. The homes that were searched were in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton. Information entered into this system will be submitted to the Washington County Narcotics Task Force only. HAGERSTOWN, Md. As a result of the executed search warrant at Smiths storage unit, law enforcement located 15.4 grams of heroin, 8.9 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, digital scales with suspected heroin residue, numerous small plastic baggies, and a glass jar containing a suspected cutting agent. The following people were indicted during the investigation: Justin Aaron Spain, 41, of Lanham, Maryland. Miguel Angel Santiago Caraballo, 30, of Chambersburg, Pa. If effective, they will be a start in rebuilding Hagerstowns economy and, ultimately, its quality of life. Christine Jenkins, one count of distribution of heroin. On at least 30 separate occasions between April 8 and May 8, 2019, Smith visited Tyler Wares residence. October of 2011, I woke up one day and thought, this is the day you die or the day you get clean. Police allege Anthony Latimer, 41, Hagerstown, was dealing drugs from his car when Alpha Platoon patrol officers approached the car in the 300 block of North Jonathan Street at 5:30 a.m. Latimer stepped . You can imagine as a police officer and a father how I felt, Simmers says. We kind of got shit pie handed to us., Source: Maryland Vital Statistics Administration. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Stories About Drug Bust - CBS Baltimore The charges includeconspiracy to distribute drugs, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and money laundering. Hes married with children and living his dream of being a full-time musician, touring his original folk-country songs across the U.S. The following agencies maintain drop boxes to drop off your not-needed prescription medication. "Drug traffickers don't work nine-to-five hours, so the people investigating this case have to work 24-seven, and this team worked for approximately a year investigating this case," he said. Across the country, rural addiction rates have surpassed those in urban areas, yet there is still not a single inpatient drug treatment facility in Washington County. Stretching from New York to Tennessee and Baltimore to Utah respectively, I-81 and I-70 are two of the longest interstates in the U.S., and they intersect in Hagerstown. HAGERSTOWN, Md. On at least 30 separate occasions between April 8 and May 8, 2019, Smith visited Tyler Wares residence. ; Cody William Grant, 26, of 826 Dewey Ave., Apt. West Virginia State Police have denied a request to release dash camera footage or body camera footage of an incident on Feb. 12 on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, W.Va., in which a Hagerstown man died after a struggle with a trooper. Information for Victims of 1st Million Dollars, LLC. Maybe longer. 2023 Washington County. Police Seize 83 Pounds of Meth in Massive Montgomery Co. Drug Bust Still at largewere Mota, Luna, Rodriguez, Longus, Rose,Orrillio,Velasquez-Lopez,Pinkcett, Gregory, Brown and Nunez-Arias, authorities said. Ozempic Face showing up in Hagerstown? Doctor Explains Even as other Rust Belt towns declinelosing union jobs, community, status, and a general hope for a brighter futurethe numbers in Hagerstown are startling when you step back and look at them. On at least 30 separate occasions between April 8 and May 8, 2019, Smith visited Tyler Wares residence. "They represent lives saved from overdose deaths and the continuing nightmare of drug addiction and the never-ending spinoffs of associated crimes from robberies, retail thefts, shootings and others that tear at the very fabric of our great and prosperous community," he said. There wasnt a door that I knocked on when I was campaigning for City Council that people didnt say heroin and the opioid crisis was the number one issue, Keller says. The substance abuse treatment center sits across the street from an abandoned hospital parking garage (the hospital moved out of downtown like nearly everything else), and a seemingly endless stream of addicts in late-model cars, minivans, and pickup trucks come and go until the pharmacy closes at noon. Washington County, MD Narcotics Task Force Mayor Richard Trump (no relation to the president),who ran for office on a slate that promised to return God to City Hall, abruptly resigned without explanation after nine months in office in 2006. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. The Washington County Narcotics Task Force received assistance from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown Police . Kevin and Dana Simmers at the future site of Brooke's House. As stated in his plea agreement, on August 9, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Smiths Hagerstown, Maryland residence. Carroll County drug dealers arrested on federal charges - WMAR Including Brookes father. But the sad fact is that in 2018, Phoenix Health Center drawsmore people downtown than anything else on a Saturday. A release from the Washington County Sheriff's Office revealed the following: Beckette was charged with three counts each of intent to distribute narcotics and possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not marijuana, according to online court records. Narcotics Task Force | Hagerstown, MD - Official Website DEA agents and partner agencies in Western Maryland are seeing a resurgence of one-pot meth labs in the area -- noting more incidents of meth labs in the area this year than the last 5 years combined. Its a phone call away. Drugs, money, guns seized in Maryland bust - dcnewsnow.com Men outside a Hammond Street garage. HAGERSTOWN, Md. four counts of possession with intent to distribute spice, three counts of maintaining a common nuisance for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Andre Luther Woolford, 33, of Hurlock, Maryland. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( nyone wishing to report narcotics information is encouraged to contact the task force by calling 301-791-3205, emailing, Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Hagerstown - Tripadvisor Call (240) 382-2757 or get your auth barcode quickly online. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Timothy Michael Ford, age 23 of Hagerstown, MD (1) Possession of heroin (2) The operation was further supported by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative, the Governors Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, and the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network Initiative. Holland is being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center without bond. Peanut King: After 37 years in prison, a giant of Baltimore's drug Stephen McCormick, two counts of distribution of cocaine. Baltimore, Maryland Thamar Smith, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Summer Camp registration opens Apri, Congratulations to Boot Barn for celebrating a rib, On behalf of the National Park Service, the Washin, Check out the special events Washington County Rec, In observance of Presidents' Day, Washington Count, Americans with Disabilities Act Information. On at least 30 separate occasions between April 8 and May 8, 2019, Smith visited Tyler Wares residence. Alternative Drug & Alcohol Counseling (ADAC), 370 Virginia Ave, Hagerstown MDPhone: (301) 766-0065 or email [emailprotected], 64 South Main Street, Boonsboro, MD 21713, Meetings in Parish House (Park in back, house to the right), Capturing Washington County, Maryland's faces, places and unique spaces with creative and artful imagery. (ABC7) The news from Hagerstown wasn't good. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. Baltimore, Md. More than 20 indicted after drug bust in Hagerstown - DC News Now In the early 1980s, King ran a large drug operation in East Baltimore and was a well-known figure, driving a DeLorean sports car and smoking with a bejeweled Zippo. Drugs, money, weapons confiscated during an operation last week in Hagerstown. Police tactics in Pennsylvania prostitution stings - York Daily Record I mean you can kind of look at it as a small part of the community that we you know are dealing with but we know its not just at the end of security road, washignton gardens that end of town, its all over the town, said Sgt. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. Prosecutors allege that Luna Mota, the owner of Top 3 Sources, was using the West Washington Street store to keep and sell drugs. he one place in Maryland that has had a long struggle with heroin use is Baltimore, of course. Daily, he watches people, mostly in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, selling and scoring drugs in the citys central parking lot behind the gallery. Others sell or trade their methadone or bupe (opioid medications used to suppress withdrawal symptoms) to buy the real thing, faking drug tests to game the system. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Christina Boward, two counts of distribution of heroin. Travon Bristol, two counts possession with intent to distribute spice aka K-2 and one count of maintaining a common Nuisance. However, the shops we visited had good deals and were brightly lit, clean and had nice staff. After the public schools and hospital, the largest employers in Washington County today are the sprawling Citi and First Data call centers. In an indictment unsealed on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur announced that four have been arrested and two are still being sought in connection with the Hagerstown drug bust. His associate, 33-year-old Rodney Gaines, or "Butta" was also arrested. Lewis Chamberlain, two counts of distribution of heroin. Maryland State Police officer with Hagerstown ties accused of leaking "If they just had a pipefine . Butler is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond. Its a problem, says former Hagerstown police chief Victor Brito, who resigned in May to lead the Rockville force. To me, the urban improvement project is huge. Investigators have seized 8.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.02 kilograms of heroin and 12 ounces of cocaine base. We need to maintain a sense of hope. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Bernard saidMota is accused of using hisbusiness, Top 3 Sources on West Washington Street, to store and sell drugs and launder the proceeds. Hagerstown, Md. The mayor and City Council at the time didnt want it. This epidemic, largely caused by the pharmaceutical industrys complete lack of accountability or care about anyone or anything other than their pockets, has wreaked havoc on my city, Keller said.

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