UPDATE: Two pounds of heroin seized during Salisbury home search, two arrested
Two Salisbury residents have been arrested, after Police reportedly found about a half a million dollars worth of heroin in their Salisbury home.
Maryland State Police say the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, along with other law enforcement agencies have been investigating 33-year-old Jermaine Peters, and his involvement in the distribution of heroin in the county, since January. During the investigation, Officials say they found that Peter was a large scale distributor for the region.
On Tuesday morning, the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force says they searched two homes that Peters is known to frequent, one on Chateau Drive, and one on Jersey Road, both in Salisbury. Peters, along with 33-year-old Priscilla Hammond, were both reportedly arrested at the Chateau Road home.
During the search of that location, Investigators say they recovered almost 2.5 pounds of raw heroin, with an estimated street value of $500,000, along with found two stolen handguns and a military-style long rifle. Police say one handgun was a .357 caliber revolver that had been reported stolen from Somerset County, while the other was a .40 caliber with a 30-round extended magazine, reported stolen from Worcester County. The long gun, which reportedly had the serial number obliterated, was a .22 caliber assault weapon replica. Investigators reportedly recovered more than $118,600 in cash, believed to be money associated with the drug trade.
During the search, State Police say a Trooper with the MSP Gang Enforcement Unit noticed Peters in the backyard with a dog, who then “aggressively charged” at the Trooper as he came around the fence. According to Authorities, the Trooper couldn’t get out of the way and was in fear for his life, and fired one round at the pitbull, killing him. No police or civilians were struck by the gunfire. As is procedure, an administrative investigation is underway, as the Trooper, who isn’t being identified because he works under cover, fired his weapon, according to authorities.
At the home on Jersey Road, Investigators say they found plastic baggies, scales and drug paraphernalia, that would all be used in the processing and packaging of drugs for sale. Investigators say the person staying at that home was not believed to be involved in the criminal activity.
After his arrest, Peters was charged with possession of a large amount of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, three counts of possession of a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking, three counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He is currently being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center, without bond.
Hammond was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a large amount of heroin, possession of a stolen handgun, three counts of possession of a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking. She was later released on a $25,000 bond.
The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force is comprised of the Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department, the Salisbury City Police Department, the Fruitland Police Department, and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office. During this investigation and search warrant service, the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Salisbury City Police Department Tactical Team, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office SERT Team/K-9 Unit/Road Patrol, the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit/Firearms Unit/Apprehension Team/Road Patrol/the Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation, the Maryland State Police Major Trafficking Unit, the Eastern Shore Information Center, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Salisbury Post of Duty.
