KETCHIKAN, Alaska -- Ketchikan police arrested three people in drug investigations last week.

Police on Wednesday seized 40.4 grams of heroin, worth about $33,000, from the home of 34-year-old Khuong "Chino" Tran.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports police on the same day seized 23 grams of heroin valued at about $20,000 from the home of 42-year-old Don "Aaron" Wright plus $4,500 in cash.

Police Sgt. Andy Berntson says heroin grew in popularity locally as pharmacy companies made the prescription opiate Oxycontin harder to abuse.

Police served a search warrant Oct. 1 at the home of 30-year-old Danerin Curtindale and seized 3 grams of methamphetamine and an ounce of marijuana. Police obtained the warrant after responding to reports of black bears in garbage and spotting evidence of drug use in the refuse.