Sisters Elizabeth Grube, 70, and Elaine Volkert, 65, don't fit the traditional image of heroin dealers.

Sisters Elizabeth Grube, 70, and Elaine Volkert, 65, don't fit the traditional image of heroin dealers.After all, how many drug dealers are grandmothers?Accused elderly sisters going to court on heroin charges Yet, Grube and Volkert are charged with selling heroin out of their homes on Ehler Street off Route 611 just outside Stroudsburg in Stroud Township. Police allege the sisters were selling for Julio Checo, 28, of Allentown, who delivered the drugs to them."They got caught up in something that just kept rolling along," Grube's attorney, Jason LaBar, said at Wednesday's district court appearance for both sisters.Attorney Chandra Bleice is representing Volkert.Grube and Volkert waived their rights to a preliminary hearing before Stroud Township Magisterial District Judge Thomas Shiffer and will appear at future dates in Monroe County Court, where both have the option of pleading guilty.Both remain free on their own recognizance. The sisters made no comment to reporters when entering and leaving district court.First Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso said the sisters are cooperating with authorities, who have recorded conversations between the sisters and Checo."It's fairly atypical to have defendants that age charged with distributing heroin," Mancuso said.The sisters are charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin and criminal conspiracy.For each, a guilty plea to the possession charge would mean probation, time in Monroe County Correctional Facility or a brief state prison sentence, attorneys said. Their age, health and prior criminal records are factors that would be considered when sentences are imposed.Mancuso said both have no significant prior records or, as far as he knows, health issues.Checo's preliminary hearing before Shiffer initially was scheduled for Wednesday, but has been continued to a future date. As of Wednesday, he was in county jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.According to court papers, tips from the public led to a weeklong investigation by Stroud Area Regional Police and the Monroe County Drug Task Force and state Attorney General's Office. That investigation resulted in April 14 search warrants executed on Volkert's home, where 1,000 bags of heroin were found, and Grube's home, where 400 bags of heroin were found.Then, with the cooperation of the two women, police recorded conversations between the sisters and Checo and had the sisters arrange for him to come to the area and deliver drugs. Checo arrived and was arrested.