Narcotics use in Delaware County
Many would be surprised to learn that prescription Narcotics are among the most prevalent drugs of choice in
Delaware County. Some of these pharmaceuticals were secreted from the manufacturer by dishonest employees and
others were purchased from those possessing legal prescriptions. Sometimes prescriptions originate from stolen
prescription forms.
One of the most commonly sought after pharmaceutical is Oxycodone. The street price for Oxycodone is as high as
one dollar per milligram, with pills commonly having 5 to 80 milligrams each. Addictions have been known to range
as high as 320 mg per day.
Addiction to Oxycodone and the resulting constant need for money fuels addicts to perform criminal acts. To save
money addicts often switch to heroin, which is similar in effect and cheaper to buy per dose. Addiction to both heroin
and Oxycodone has motivated some of the more significant crimes that have been committed in Delaware County,
such as burglary and home invasion.
DRUG
ENFORCEMENT
UNIT
Although Delaware County is rural, it still experiences an accelerated use of illegal drugs as do other more
populated areas. Heroin and illegal prescription drugs are readily available and remain two of our major concerns.
The Delaware County Drug Enforcement (“DEU”) unit is represented from officers from multiple law enforcement
agencies throughout Delaware County.
In 2012, The Delaware County Drug Enforcement Unit (“DEU”) made
great strides in eradicating illegal drugs in Delaware County. Following are
some Press Releases regarding same.
Each year the Civil Air Patrol performs a “fly over” in Delaware
County looking for marihuana crops. Sheriff Mills is shown standing next to
some marihuana plants that were similarly taken into evidence in 2012.
A sampling of some of this Office’s Drug Arrests follows:
Walton Resident Tried to Sell 80 Bags of Heroin to Undercover Cop
November 16, 2012
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit Members arrested 27 year old Miguel A. Santiago
of Bronx, NY. Santiago is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third
Degree, a Class B Felony.
Santiago was arrested when he attempted to sell eighty (80) bags of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug, to an undercover
DEUMember in the Village of Walton. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by members of the Village
of Walton Police Department and the New York State Police K-9 Unit.
Of this arrest Undersheriff DuMond commented, “It’s a significant arrest for us. We’re proud tomake an arrest
that involves this type of an individual and this quantity of drugs. However, the sad thing about these types of things
is that there always seem to be more individuals willing to step up and fill the void left behind.”
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