Five In Jail After Claremore Heroin Bust

A heroin bust in Claremore sent five people to jail. Police said they recovered more than 10 grams of heroin and nearly $15,000 in cash.

Claremore police said three of the five people arrested lived together, and one of the men admitted to buying heroin at least 70 different times.

Police said the investigation began weeks ago and came to a head Wednesday afternoon during a traffic stop in Claremore. An officer said he witnessed a drug transaction in the car just moments before.

The police were doing surveillance because they had conducted a controlled drug buy with one of the suspects just two days earlier.

Officers said they recovered more than 10 grams of heroin from the car stop, and with a search warrant, found $15,000 cash hidden in the attic in the home of one of the suspects, including the money from the department's controlled buy.

Sergeant Wayne Stinnett with the Claremore Police said, "Some of the people we're dealing with out of this situation were using a gram a day, so they're spending $6,000 a month to supply their habit."

Police say heroin has been around for some time, but there does seem to be a resurgence of it, not just in the big cities, but also in small towns. They say the high is euphoric, but heroin is a potent depressant and highly addictive.

"This is a very powerful, physical addiction. It has physiological effects that make you sick with withdrawal," Stinnett said.

The joint investigation between Claremore Police and the Rogers County Sheriff's Office netted five arrests: Christopher Jordan Whipkey, Nathaniel Chapin, Elizabeth Gray, Bryson Kilpatrick and Mason Wantland.

While they do believe this bust made dent in Claremore's heroin trade, they also know addicts are already looking for a new supplier.

Three of those arrested face trafficking charges and two face possession of paraphernalia.