[November 25, 2015, Bel Air, MD] Yesterday, the Harford County Drug Taskforce, along with multiple law enforcement partners, conducted a multi-jurisdictional saturation effort throughout communities in Harford County. This special detail is part of law enforcement’s ongoing heroin reduction efforts and focused on conducting vehicle and pedestrian interdiction on major roadways throughout Harford County, as well as in designated Safe Street neighborhoods.
The geography of Harford County provides several alternative routes often utilized by drug traffickers and others involved in criminal activity to avoid police interdiction efforts on I-95. Using a strong law enforcement presence, saturation, and interdiction efforts can result in arrests for narcotics violations, in addition to, arrests for other crimes to include burglaries, thefts and traffic related offenses. The initiative was designed to meet the following goals: make the streets of Harford County safer for pedestrians and drivers; detect and arrest illegal drug users and sellers, and those drivers who are under the influence; promote public awareness of the dangers of heroin and drugged driving; most importantly, demonstrate to the citizens of Harford County that its law enforcement agencies care about the heroin epidemic effecting them and are united in their commitment to eradicating it.
Law enforcement utilized a combination of variable messages promoting heroin “check points” set up on major roadways throughout the county, combined with proactive vehicle and pedestrian interdiction in designated locations and “Hot Spot” neighborhoods known for heroin use and sales. Variable message signs were used through the detail to raise awareness that law enforcement was saturating the area. Focusing on areas known for drug trafficking and drugged driving, these “check points” were conducted on Route 152, Route 1, Route 24, and Route 40. As opposed to the traditional DUI Checkpoints most are familiar with, in these “checkpoint” areas, vehicles continued on the roadway without being required to slow down or stop. Those vehicles that were pulled over, were done so after they were observed committing some type of motor vehicle violation. As we had the opportunity to come in contact with motorists, two pamphlets were available; the first provided heroin awareness information, the second provided information for those struggling with drug addiction.
In total, there were approximately 73 law enforcement officers who participated, representing: The Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Havre De Grace Police Department, Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This detail resulted in ten arrests and the seizure of $7,000 cash, one switchblade knife, illegal drugs to include more than 20 pounds of marijuana, opiates and prescription pills, and related drug paraphernalia. Additionally, 32 traffic citations, 148 warnings, and 18 repair orders were issued during the operation.
Sheriff Gahler remarked, “This morning the number of heroin related overdoses Harford County law enforcement have responded to stands at 156 nonfatal overdoses and 24 overdoses which have proven to be fatal. We must work tirelessly to eradicate this dangerous drug from our community. High visibility law enforcement details, such as the one from yesterday, send a clear message to the drug dealers in our community – you are not welcome here. Still, much needs to be done, but we will not rest until the job is complete.”
During the detail, ten arrests were made as follows:
- Anthony Serio, DOB: 12/1989
Address: Ferguson Road, Joppa, Maryland 20185
Charge: Possession of controlled substances - Angelo Jose Ricardo, DOB: 07/1981
Address: Primrose Place, Belcamp, MD
Charge: Possession of controlled substances - Sean Russell Tyree, DOB: 9/1991
Address: Garnette Road, Joppa, Maryland 21085
Charge: Possession of illegal weapon - Garrett Lee Sheckells, DOB: 7/1984
Address: Rocksberry Court, Joppa, Maryland 21085
Arrested for active warrant - Amber Noel Blishche-Rihel, DOB: 12/1978
Address: Holibird Ave, Dundalk
Charge: Possession of controlled substances - Brian James Cameron, W/M, DOB: 11/1994
Address: Havre De Grace, Maryland
Charge: Driving under the influence of alcohol or CDS - Stuart Lucian Holko, W/M, DOB: 8/1987
Address: Cheverly Court, Abingdon, MD 21009
Charge: Driving under the influence of alcohol or CDS - Sean Schmidt, DOB: 04/1997
Address: Charles Cannon Road, Marion Station, MD 21838
Arrested for active warrant - Ronald James Slavin Jr., DOB: 2/1987
Address: Makard Road, Sacramento, CA
Charge: Felony possession/Large amount of CDS/Possession with Intent to Distribute - Richard Smith, DOB: 10/1946
Address: Four Seasons Court, Dundalk, MD 21222
Arrested for active warrant