Six individuals in Texas have been arrested following a string of nearly 80 drug overdoses, resulting in nine fatalities. The suspects, including Ronnie Lamar Mims, Marcellus Dion Barron, Kanady Arkangelo Rimijo, Gary Joseph Lewis, Denise Horton, and Guy Len Allen, were charged with felony possession or delivery of a controlled substance. However, it was clarified during a press conference that none of the suspects were directly linked to the victims of the overdoses. The spike in overdoses began on April 29, with emergency personnel responding to an unusually high number of calls, ultimately resulting in at least nine deaths.
In response to the surge in overdoses, members of the Austin Police Department conducted targeted undercover investigations in areas where there was an increase in incidents. The investigations focused on downtown Austin, North Austin, and South Austin, resulting in numerous arrests related to narcotics. However, none of the individuals apprehended were connected to the overdoses. The authorities seized various narcotics, including crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana laced with fentanyl during the operations. The mixing of fentanyl with other substances like crack cocaine by dealers potentially led to the deadly overdoses seen in this case. Historically, many narcotics dealers in Austin are considered street level, aiming to make a profit for themselves rather than being part of major organized crime.
Court documents revealed specific details about the arrests, such as Mims being found in possession of fentanyl-laced cocaine. Lewis and Horton were allegedly distributing drugs from a vehicle, and Rimijo and Barron were caught selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. Rimijo was found with marijuana laced with fentanyl in his possession, while Barron also faced charges related to drug delivery. Allen was allegedly involved in a drug deal near a day school and was charged with possession with intent to distribute. The authorities warned the public to report any suspicious activity and urged drug dealers to stop spreading harmful substances within the community.
The Austin-Travis County EMS reported that opioid overdoses returned to typical levels following the surge, but it was unclear whether the bad batch of drugs had been removed from the city. The authorities emphasized the dangers of consuming illicit narcotics, highlighting the risks associated with not knowing the contents of the substances being sold. The spike in overdoses in Austin and the subsequent arrests shed light on the ongoing issue of drug-related incidents in the area. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies to address the situation and apprehend individuals involved in the distribution of harmful substances are crucial steps in combating the opioid crisis and protecting the community from further harm.
