Drug probe at jail nets five cases that may be prosecuted

The internal investigation began in the wake of a June incident in which several inmates overdosed and had to be hospitalized. All three of the overdose victims survived.(Courtesy photo)

DOVER - Surveillance undertaken by county investigators as part of a probe into drug trafficking at the Strafford County Jail has netted two cases that have been presented to a grand jury for indictment and three other sent to the U.S. Attorney's office in Concord, according to a press release sent out on Tuesday by the Sheriff's Office here.

The probe entailed some 50 hours of surveillance, a review of jail practices and procedures and interviews with all jail personnel.

The internal investigation began in the wake of a June incident in which several inmates overdosed and had to be hospitalized. All three of the overdose victims survived.

As a result of that incident, Sheriff David Dubois assigned Captain Heather Cote to oversee a special task force within the Strafford County Sheriff's Office. Work by this task force was under way by mid-June. There are multiple cases cultivated during that time still under investigation, but the task force has completed its work in regards to the overdose situation at the Strafford County Department of Corrections.

The review was multifaceted and covered among other things.

• Transportation and handling of inmates by Strafford County deputies
• Professional Consultations

As a manner of guidance, members of the Task Force brought in various consultants during the investigation to include County Attorney Thomas Velardi and members of the United States Attorney's Office.

• Interviews with Command Staff at the SCDOC
• Corrections staff interviews
• Legal Review
• Strafford County Department of Corrections Facility Security Review
• Investigative Practices Review

Meanwhile, the investigation into the drug overdoses on June 6 is being reviewed by the Office of the United States Attorney in New Hampshire for possible prosecution.

Investigators have believed all along that the drug may have been smuggled into the jail through the mail, and said in Tuesday's press release that by analyzing residue from the letter they believe they know what it is, however those results are part of the criminal prosecution and cannot be released at this time.