Prosecutors in LA announce sweep in fentanyl overdose deaths

One alleged drug dealer peddling potent doses of fentanyl warned a customer by text message not to die and added LOL to his message. Another was a nightclub security manager who prosecutors said provided powdered substances to three patrons who overdosed early one morning at the former bar known as the American Junkie. The details were included in federal court documents released Thursday in cases charging a dozen men in 12 fatal overdoses, including the death of a 15-year-old boy. Federal prosecutors used the cases to draw attention to a spike in fentanyl being found in counterfeit drugs in Southern California and a rise in deaths from the opioid.Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy Wilkison said the announcement was a warning to drug dealers they could face severe consequences if a customer dies and warn potential customers of black market drugs manufactured to look like prescription opioids that can be laced with fatal amounts of fentanyl.“Fentanyl is increasingly being seen in what customers think are drugs like cocaine and oxycodone,” Wilkison said. “Most of the victims in these cases had no idea they were taking fentanyl — and it cost them their lives.” The cases, which are unrelated, are the result of…
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