Carrollton adults arrested for overdosing fentanyl on students

Nationwide battle against synthetic opioids fentanyl came to North Texas.

Death of three students from R. L. Turner High School in Carrollton According to police, they are linked to a local couple who are now facing federal charges.

Drug Enforcement Agency agents conducted surveillance and then raided a home in the 1800 block of Highland Drive on Friday. Agents arrested 21-year-old Luis Navarrete and 29-year-old Magali Mejia Cano, accusing them of dealing fentanyl outside a home located between Turner High School and DeWitt Perry High School.

According to the criminal case, the two sold fentanyl-laced Percocet and OxyContin to several teenage drug dealers, mostly Turner High School students. These dealers then sold counterfeit pills to classmates and kids at DeWitt Perry and Dan Long high schools.

Between September and February, nine students at these schools, aged between 13 and 17, overdosed. Three died. One 14-year-old girl survived a double overdose and was temporarily paralyzed.

“No matter what I read about fentanyl, I wouldn’t even try it,” said local resident Abel Hernandez. “Why? It seems stupid and dangerous, but I think kids do it, so it just surprised me that it came from such a close home, and I didn’t even know about it.”

Fentanyl is about 50 times stronger than heroin. A few grains can be lethal.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas called the couple’s actions “despicable.” Both appeared in federal court on Monday. If convicted, each of the suspects faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Another hearing is scheduled for Friday.