A group of teens and teens have been arrested for allegedly being part of a fentanyl ring that sells drugs to children at schools near Jackson, Mississippi.
Five youths between the ages of 17 and 21 are the latest suspects arrested in a long-running multi-agency dispute following “numerous” overdoses in the Rankin County area.
The U.S. overdose death rate topped 112,000 for the first time in a 12-month period last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Meanwhile, federal researchers now say drug overdoses are a leading cause of death among American adults under the age of 45.
Richland police in Mississippi said they have recovered “a significant quantity” of fentanyl pills in the latest drug bust that saw four juveniles arrested.
A group of teens and youth have been arrested for allegedly being part of a fentanyl ring that sells drugs to children at schools near Jackson, Mississippi
Five youths between the ages of 17 and 21 are the latest suspects arrested in a long-running multi-agency dispute following “numerous” overdoses in the Rankin County area. (Photo: Mollie McNally)
Ayden Broome
Brooklyn Goss
Haley Dunlap
Pedro Martinez Garcia
Police added that some of the suspected fentanyl was only intercepted the night before it was to be distributed to children at a local school.
Richland PD, along with Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and Madison PD, have arrested 11 suspects so far.
The latest group includes 17-year-old Pedro Martinez Garcia, who has been certified as an adult and charged with selling fentanyl.
He was out on bond on previous charges of selling fentanyl, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine.
Ayden Broome, 18, and Mollie McNally, 19, are each charged with selling fentanyl within 1,500 feet of a school, church or park.
Haley Dunlap, 19, and Brooklyn Goss, 21, have also each been charged with selling fentanyl, while Goss faces the additional charge of possession with intent to distribute.
Several other youths, including some as young as 16, have also been arrested.