By Joe Bachman

MARSHFIELD — Two suspected Chicago drug dealers have been charged with multiple accounts of selling heroin in Wood County.

According to police reports, on Feb. 13, a confidential informant arranged a meeting with 46-year-old Randy Croff to purchase heroin. The transaction involved the sale of 0.2 grams of heroin for $80. Croff had allegedly pulled out a bag of heroin from his groin area, weighed the substance, and handed it to the informant.

On a separate occasion on March 4, a second purchase was arranged in the city of Marshfield, this time for one gram of heroin for the amount of $300. Croff handed over the narcotic in a similar fashion.

On April 8, a third meeting was arranged for one gram of heroin for $300. The arrangement was at a different Marshfield location, but with the same result. However, Croff had allegedly sent another man to make the exchange, identified as 50-year-old Efrem Meeks.

Meeks was arrested and taken to the Marshfield Police Department to await booking. In the process of doing so, police observed Meeks attempting to hide something in a nearby Kleenex box. Inside the box, officers found a tin foil bindle containing heroin, as well as a small tube in his pocket used for snorting the drug.

If convicted, Croff faces up to 37 years and six months imprisonment, and up to $75,000 in fines for three counts of the manufacture and delivery of heroin. Meeks faces up to 19 years and six months imprisonment and up to $35,000 in fines for manufacture and delivery of heroin, as well as narcotics possession.

Their next court date is scheduled for April 13.