There is a trend emerging in recent drug investigations both in Wood and Washington counties.

They increasingly involve heroin...and they often involve people from Columbus.

A member of the major crimes task force, which serves Washington and Morgan counties, says prescription drugs remain a problem...and often lead to heroin abuse.

But he says heroin...not just the quantity, but the type...is increasing as the subject of drug raids.

"Back in 2005, when we first started the task force, you saw powder heroin," says Detective Mark Warden. "Now, what we're seeing is tar heroin. It's coming out of Columbus, in large quantities."

Wood County Sheriff Jeff Sandy says drug cases are often solved through investigations into breakings and enterings...meaning the two often go hand in hand.