Folsom police announced today that an approximately six-month investigation resulted in the arrest Thursday of three Sacramento residents believed to be connected with a majority of the heroin that has been coming into Folsom.
Search warrants were served at multiple locations and turned up and estimated $22,000 worth of drugs, police said.
Shamia Ingram (left photo), 31, and Jermaine Ellison (center photo), 40, were arrested after three-quarters of a pound of tar heroin was recovered at their home in the 7400 block of Winkley Way in Sacramento's Meadowview neighborhood, according to a Police Department news release. Marijuana and commonly abused prescription medications were also recovered, along with $5,600 in cash.
Ingram and Ellison were booked into Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of possessing heroin, marijuana and prescription drugs for sale, and child endangerment.
Demaris Crossley (right photo), 39, was arrested after investigators found 10 grams of rock cocaine, nearly 2 ounces of marijuana and a loaded semiautomatic pistol during a search of in the 1900 block of John Still Drive, also in the Meadowview area. Crossley was booked into Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of possessing rock cocaine and marijuana for sale and possession of a firearm while possessing drugs for sale.
Folsom police say they have seen tremendous growth in heroin abuse in the city in recent years, as people switched from abusing prescription opiates, such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Hydrocondone, to heroin. Although heroin is illicitly manufactured, it is less expensive and easier to obtain than prescription drugs, said Sgt. Jason Browning, police department spokesman.
He said police have seen people who began abusing prescription drugs in their late teens switching to heroin in their late 20s. Browning said heroin has become the most common drug encountered by Folsom police officers and fire personnel.
Although Thursday's arrests won't put an end to heroin sales in Folsom, Browning said it may boost the price and slow activity for a while.
The California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team and the Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Team assisted Folsom police in the investigation. Sacramento and Folsom Police SWAT teams assisted investigators in securing the search warrant locations.
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