A several-months-long investigation of a heroin ring in Concord resulted in warrants being issued for 22 people Wednesday. According to Concord police, 17 people have been arrested and five are still at large, as of this afternoon.
The charges included selling, delivering and possession of heroin and cocaine. Concord Capt. J.D Baggerly says drugs were confiscated but he would not say how much or the street value of them because the investigation is ongoing.
Baggerly says prescription opioids have been a problem in Concord for a long time but says over the last 10 years, heroin use, a cheaper alternative, has gradually increased in the area. Heroin dealers have targeted smaller communities, such as Salisbury in recent years, leading to a dramatic increase in drug overdoses and violent crimes.
