Last week in Austin, a shocking incident unfolded as dozens of people fell victim to drug overdoses, resulting in nine tragic deaths. The authorities have taken swift action, arresting five individuals in connection with these distressing events.
The Austin Police Department has confirmed the arrest and charges against five individuals. Marcellus Barron (30), Denise Horton (47), Gary Lewis (50), Ronnie Mims (45), and Kanady Rimjo (32) have been taken into custody. The charges brought against them include possession or delivery of a controlled substance. This information was reported by local ABC News affiliate KVUE.
According to KVUE, the suspects were discovered by the police through an investigation into the origin of the drugs responsible for the recent overdoses. The narcotics involved in the incidents were found to be marijuana and crack cocaine that had been mixed with fentanyl.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
The CDC stated that the majority of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death cases in the U.S. are linked to illegally manufactured fentanyl. Illegally made fentanyl is commonly distributed through illicit drug markets and is frequently combined with substances like cocaine or heroin to enhance its impact.
From 9 a.m. ET on Monday, April 29, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) experienced a sudden increase in calls, primarily focused in the downtown area.
During a press conference last week, Dr. Heidi Abraham, the deputy medical director for ATCEMS, revealed that the number of overdose calls received by ATCEMS has seen a significant surge. Normally, the department receives an average of two to three overdose calls per day. However, recently, there has been a staggering increase in call volume, which amounts to a 1,000% rise.
On Monday, there were 79 reported overdoses, and ATCEMS distributed 438 Narcan rescue kits. Narcan, administered as a nasal spray, contains naloxone, a powerful ingredient that can rapidly restore breathing in cases of opioid overdose.
According to KVUE, police have arrested a sixth person, identified as 55-year-old Johnny Lee Wright, after surveillance video captured him delivering narcotics to residents in Austin. The Austin Police Department (APD) has revealed that Wright has multiple previous felony convictions, some of which are related to narcotics.
ABC News’ request for comment was not immediately returned by APD.
According to provisional data from the CDC, drug overdose deaths in the United States reached a staggering 108,000 in 2022, marking a record high.
According to provisional data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, drug poisoning-related deaths in Texas for 2022 are currently at a rate of 15.4 per 100,000 people. This is the highest rate observed since at least 2011.