Austin opioid overdose outbreak: 5 arrested for possession of fentanyl-laced drugs

AUSTIN, Texas - Five people have been arrested in connection with a recent outbreak of opioid overdoses and deaths in Austin.

The Austin Police Department say the five were arrested for either possession or delivery of crack cocaine, which also tested positive for fentanyl.

The arrests follow an investigation into the source of narcotics related to the recent overdoses. EMS responded to over 70 opioid overdose related calls in the span of a week. At least eight people have died, according to the medical examiner.

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• Suspect in Austin opioid overdose outbreak arrested: affidavit
• Fentanyl-laced marijuana found during drug arrest in North Austin: APD
• Opioid overdose outbreak in Austin kills 8 people: ATCEMS
• Austin opioid overdose outbreak: Nearly 80 overdoses since Monday

A surge in opioid related deaths and overdose calls prompted the Austin Police Department's Organized Crime Division to launch an undercover drug operation near North Lamar Boulevard and Rutland Drive on Thursday, May 2.

"That area of Austin is known as a high drug activity area. There used to be different areas of Austin historically, but they tend to move around over time, depending on law enforcement intervention," says Austin attorney Sam Bassett.

Officers call the area an open-air drug market. 

Those arrested are:

• Gary Lewis, 50 - second degree felony possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Denise Horton, 47 - second degree felony possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Kanady Rimijo, 32 - first degree felony delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams
• Marcellus Barron, 30 - second degree felony delivery of a controlled substance between one and four grams
• Ronnie Mims, 45 - third degree felony possession of a controlled substance between one and four grams

Rimijo was also found with baggies of fentanyl-laced marijuana during a drug arrest in North Austin, according to court paperwork.

"Obviously, there is a real problem with fentanyl in the community and across the country. I think police officers are trying to get aggressive about arresting distributors of drugs that are laced with fentanyl," says Bassett.

"To lace drugs with fentanyl is a very concerning trend, because you don’t know where to draw the line. Does the seller know it was laced with fentanyl or does the seller not know? And then there is the whole problem of proving who knew what," Bassett added.

Anyone with any information may submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by clicking here or calling 512-472-8477.