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Auto Workers Charged in Drug Sting
Auto Workers Charged in Drug Sting WARREN, Mich. (AP) _ Drug charges have been brought against 11 DaimlerChrysler AG workers following a 16-month undercover investigation at their auto plant. A forklift operator, William Sturkin, was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and heroin at the Dodge City truck assembly plant, where he has worked for more than 20 years. Sturkin, 45, of Detroit, complained of heart problems Sunday in the Warren police lockup and was transported to St. John Macomb Hospital Center for treatment of an irregular heartbeat. He was arraigned Monday at his hospital bed and ordered held on $200,000 bond. Police arrested 10 others last week on lesser charges. Authorities launched the probe in late 1997, when workers complained to management about drug dealing at the plant. Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corp. merged in November. After conferring with police and the Macomb County prosecutor's office, the automaker hired a private detective to work undercover in the plant. Detective Cpl. Mark Fontaine said the undercover employee purchased marijuana from Sturkin. As part of the investigation, police also seized 77 rocks of crack cocaine valued at $10-$20 each, 65 packs of heroin worth about $650 on the street, and 29, $10 packets of powder cocaine, Fontaine said. He said more arrests were possible.
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