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Man Charged After Lethal Opioid Linked to Death
29 Apr
Summary
- Cocaine and opiate possession charges filed in a deadly heroin batch investigation.
- Lethal synthetic opioid etonitazene confirmed in contaminated heroin batch.
- Drug linked to one death and two non-fatal overdoses in Southport.
A man has been charged in connection with a contaminated batch of heroin suspected to be responsible for a death and multiple overdoses. Carl Gardiner, 51, faces charges of possessing heroin, cocaine, and etonitazene. The investigation stems from the death of a 62-year-old man in Southport and two subsequent non-fatal overdoses linked to the same batch.
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of etonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid from the nitazene group, which has been associated with numerous fatalities nationwide. This dangerous substance is significantly more potent than heroin and can cause rapid, life-threatening respiratory depression.
Authorities previously arrested a 51-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter, but they were released on bail. The police are continuing their investigation and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
