Fifth man arrested at DOJ, DEA investigates fentanyl overdose in Carrollton

A flower mound A man has been charged with drug use after federal investigators said he supplied drugs containing fentanyl to a minor who overdosed. Department of Justice Friday said.

Officials said Steven Paul Brinson, 18, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance.

According to federal investigators, Brinson supplied Donovan with Jude Andrews from Carrolltonwith drugs.

Andrews was arrested last week on charges of using social media to sell pills containing fentanyl. Investigators said Andrews benefited from a recent arrests of Luis Navarrete and Magalo Cano and has been linked to at least one juvenile overdose. In the arrest documents, investigators detailed how A 14-year-old girl who survived an overdose told investigators Andrews sold her drugs and left them in her mailbox.

Navarette and Cano with their supplier Jason Villanuevaallegedly linked to 10 other juvenile overdoses, including three dead.

“In just four weeks, we have indicted five adults accused of trafficking the lethal fentanyl to children,” U.S. Attorney Leiga Simonton said in a statement. “In the meantime, we call on the community to remind our youth that any pill not prescribed by a doctor can be fatal. One pill can kill.”

The Justice Department said they identified Brinson after the arrest of Andrews and his underage driver, who allegedly drove Andrews in exchange for drugs. Investigators found messages on the driver’s phone pointing to an Instagram user as the source of the crime. fentanyl pills. The Instagram user was identified as Brinson, agents said.

During a search of Brinson’s home in Flower Mound, police found his 19-year-old girlfriend, believed to be under the influence of fentanyl.

“She told the cops that there were crushed fentanyl tablets next to the nightstand in the room she shared with Mr Brinson and said that Brinson had two safes in the bedroom. In one of the safes, Carrollton police found several packages containing more than 1,000 more blue fake M/30 pills that tested positive for fentanyl in the field,” the Justice Department said in a statement Friday.

Agents also said they found tools used to distribute drugs, including digital scales with drug residue, small packages and cash. The Justice Department said they found a note from Brinson’s parents warning him: “Don’t meet people in front of the house or in sight of the house.”

The Justice Department said Brinson’s father admitted that he and his wife knew he used fentanyl, but said they did not know he was selling pills in front of the house.

No charges were announced against Brinson’s parents.

“The removal of this dealer from the network seriously undermines the ability of dealers to sell drugs to all children in the DFW area. We remain committed to arresting those who endanger the lives of our children,” said Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo.

Federal investigators said Brinson was also seen loading a large bag into his Lexus and heading to a parking lot where whistleblowers claimed he was often involved in drug deals.

“Inside the car, the officers found an FN 5.7 pistol, commonly referred to as the ‘cop killer’, and an AR-15 automatic rifle; in Brinson’s sock, they found a small bag of an M/30 pill,” the officials said.

After his arrest, Brinson was taken to Carrollton Jail, where police said he began kicking his camera and screaming. According to police, Brinson told agents and officers he was “taking care of himself.” [expletive] business”, and that the fact that he is white and lives in Flower Mound will help him in this matter.

If found guilty, Brinson faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

WHAT IS FENTANIL?

fentanyl A synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

Without laboratory testing, it is impossible to know how much fentanyl is concentrated in a tablet or powder. If you are exposed to fentanyl in any form, do not touch it and call 911 immediately.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,622 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, with 66% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Drug poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. The fentanyl available in the United States is mainly supplied by two criminal drug networks: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

WHAT IS RAINBOW FENTANIL?

In August 2022, the DEA issued a public notice. about a disturbing new trend of colorful fentanyl available across the country.

The brightly colored fentanyl, dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” by the media, has been seized in a variety of forms, including tablets, powder, and blocks resembling sidewalk chalk.

“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl tablets and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes and sizes — is a deliberate attempt by drug dealers to create addiction in children and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Ann Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA are working tirelessly to stop the rainbow fentanyl trafficking and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of fentanyl illegally sold in the United States.”

Despite claims that some colors may be stronger than others, DEA lab testing does not show this to be the case. The DEA has stated that fentanyl of any color, shape, or size should be considered extremely dangerous.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials warn of fentanyl in bright colors, sometimes reminiscent of sidewalk chalk or candy.