ALFRED, Maine — York County investigators are probing the trafficking of heroin into the country jail after three female inmates reported snorting the drug in the facility last week, according to Sheriff William King.
Two of the inmates were brought to an area hospital for treatment while one was treated at the jail Thursday, according to King. The names of the inmates were not disclosed.
Early Thursday afternoon, one inmate was found unresponsive on her bunk, and other female inmates reported the victim had snorted heroin, King said. She was treated and released from Southern Maine Medical Center.
While cell searches were conducted, the inmate who was treated at the jail surrendered a powder she claimed was heroin and admitted to snorting it. Later Thursday afternoon, the third female inmate appeared ill and was brought to SMCC and later released, the sheriff said.
The jail was locked down and inmates questioned after the inmate was brought to the hospital, King said, and it was learned the source of the heroin was from two women who arrived to the jail after being arrested on Wednesday, King said.
The two women, whose names were not disclosed, were together when they were brought in and had been arrested for drug-related incidents.
Charges are anticipated as the investigation into trafficking the drugs into the prison continues. King said most inmates conceal drugs in body cavities to avoid detection when booked into jail.
