topic Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl in Community Chat

Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

skatting44 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 23:10:26 GMT

Per Google :

" Between April 2020 to April 2021, fentanyl claimed 40,010 lives — resulting in almost twice as many deaths in the 18-45 age range as COVID-19 (21,335), cancer (17,114), car accidents (22,442), and suicide (21,678) respectively. "

St Paul, Minnesota man gets life in prison for selling fentanyl through the internet that killed 11 people.

Also heard on the news that a middle school kid had a bag of pills laced with fentanyl at school. The boy over dosed by just handling the pills he was selling.

Do we have an epidemic ?

Drug overdose from CDC

"More than 932,000 people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose.1 In 2020, 91,799 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States. The age-adjusted rate of overdose deaths increased by 31% from 2019 (21.6 per 100,000) to 2020 (28.3 per 100,000)."

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

SharkE — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 23:03:56 GMT

Justice has prevailed.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Oznell — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 23:25:02 GMT

Thanks for posting, @skatting44 . Fentanyl has become a horrifying scourge, because it is pouring in unchecked; because of the merchants' propensity to disguise it, and mix it with other things; AND, because of it's lethality-- as medical authorities have repeatedly stated in this pithy warning-- "one pill can kill". One-time-use, by an unwary consumer, can result in swift death.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

skatting44 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 23:34:00 GMT

Correction to my post - it was a 13 yr old boy in California who had 150 pills disguised as Percocet that he had at school. I The boy was involved in an altercation then his bag was searched. it was a school supervisor who then overdosed by opening the pill bottle and over dosed by inhalation .

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Katcat1 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 23:56:25 GMT

One down, many to go. I wish the doctors would stop coming down on their patients using pain medication. We are not drug addicts that use Heroin laced with this Fentanyl. We are in pain and need something for relief and its not Fentanyl. Get your facts straight.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

SilleeMee — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:04:53 GMT

Some of the pills look like candy.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Trailrun23 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:19:06 GMT

Some authorities are now calling it Fentanyl poisoning rather than overdosing. Just inhaling the fumes can kill. It is an insidisous drug flwoing freely into our country. So scary to hear that it is now being made into candycoated pills to look like M&Ms and other candy. Those thinking it was "only" a percocet are also flirting with disaster...Thsnks to OP for reminding us of how serious this has become and it is a true health emergency much worse than others because it can kill just through inhaling it accidentally. Another reason my grands aren't allowed to bring cupcakes or other treats for their class parties or birthdays unless they are comercially prewrapped.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Trailrun23 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:22:09 GMT

The report I read said it was two girls arguing and the school counselor intervened and opened the backpack. When she opened the pack and picked up the bottle of pills, there was enough residue to get on her hands and also inhale. No matter which account is accurate, Fentanyl is nasty stuff. how in the world does a 13 year old girl end up with that stuff at school along with $300 cash? Apparently she was selling.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

MorningLover — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:23:44 GMT

Justice.gov

September 12, 2022

Hopkins Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Caused Eleven Overdose Deaths

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Hopkins man has been sentenced to life in prison for distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Eleven lives lost. Families, friends, and communities forever changed by the devastation brought on by Aaron Broussard’s deadly fentanyl.

Although the trauma felt by the victims can never be undone and the true cost can never be calculated, Mr. Broussard will now spend the remainder of his life behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Let today’s sentencing serve as a wakeup call to the drug traffickers pushing fentanyl in and around our communities,” Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “A mere two milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent in size to a few grains of salt, is enough to potentially kill a person.

The threat of fentanyl is real, and the traffickers pushing this deadly substance will be held accountable for the lives they’ve taken, the families they’ve hurt and the communities they’ve devastated.”

“Today’s sentencing of Aaron Broussard sends a clear message in how critical a role the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners play in protecting American consumers from illegal narcotics being shipped via the U.S. Mail.

U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from greedy drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives,” stated Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2014 through December 6, 2016, Aaron Rhy Broussard, 31, obtained controlled substances, including fentanyl, from China-based drug suppliers.

Broussard conspired with his China-based suppliers to smuggle what would prove to be deadly drugs into the country.

Broussard marketed these drugs for sale on his website, PlantFoodUSA.net, under the guise of selling plant food. He then used the United States mail and a United States Postal Service “Click-N-Ship” account to send out packages of deadly drugs around the country.

On March 12, 2016, Broussard placed a drug order for 100 grams of 4-FA, a controlled substance analogue, which was shipped from China.

The package actually contained 100 grams of 99% pure fentanyl.

Although Broussard had experienced a similar mix-up in August 2015 and was repeatedly told to test his drugs, he did not do so.

Between March 31 and April 27, 2016, Broussard sent his branded packages containing fentanyl to more than a dozen customers throughout the United States.

The customers had ordered and were expecting to receive an amphetamine analogue, similar to Adderall. They were not opiate users and had no tolerance for the deadly fentanyl Broussard sent them.

After ingesting the fentanyl, believing it was Adderall, eleven of the customers died from a fentanyl overdose, and at least four customers suffered serious bodily injury.

Broussard continued distributing his deadly packages despite hearing about adverse reactions. Even after he learned that several customers had been hospitalized and nearly died, Broussard never warned his customers not to take the deadly drugs. Broussard did reach out to his suppliers in China to request a discount on his next drug delivery.

On March 31, 2022, following a 10-day jury trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Broussard was convicted on 17 counts, including conspiracy, importation of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.

During the sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson lauded the bravery shown by victims and their families in providing their victim impact statements to the Court.

In imposing the life sentence, Judge Nelson told Broussard, “Your disregard for human life is terrifying.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the University of Minnesota Police Department, the Peoria Heights (Illinois) Police Department, the Dallas (Texas) Police Department, the Broome County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Office, Garrard County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office, Hazel Green (Wisconsin) Police Department, and the Atlanta (Georgia) Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Hollenhorst and Melinda A. Williams prosecuted the case.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

bonnielu — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:31:55 GMT

Horrible situtation. There is one thing to take it knowing exacty what you are taking but when it appears to be something else it is so horrific.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

skatting44 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 01:52:20 GMT

@Trailrun23

Thanks, for the clarification . It was Kern High School and the Bakersfield, California Police investigated. The news article said the student had $300 on " his " person and had 150 fentanyl laced pills disguised as Percocet

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Goldengate8361 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 01:15:49 GMT

What really irks me is that there are seriously ill people who need powerful pain killers (like advanced cancers)...and this abuse makes it harder than it should be for people to get them when they need them. We actually need much more powerful pain killers for those suffering (near death) but I understand why pharma companies are reluctant to invest big bucks into such R&D now. It is a shame!!!!!

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Another new name Sue — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:28:53 GMT

I saw a video of people mixing it up in a bucket outside. It's even very dangerous for those manufacturing it, wearing masks and gloves. It was horrifying. When people take street drugs, they have not even a clue what's in them.

I guess it's the power of addiction which compels people to take chances with street drugs. Personally, I don't understand it.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

CalminHeart — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:35:38 GMT

Nothing will change. There will always be someone or some company selling it.

Earlier this year, 4 U.S. makers of Fentanyl agreed to pay $26,000,000,000,000 to settle claims but they made a whole lot more than that selling it.

Until our country stops demonizing addiction and starts providing more affordable and accessible long-term treatment, anything that's done is just a bandaid.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

software — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:46:17 GMT

Every time there is an abuse of legitimate opioids, the DEA changes regulations. That's wrong. An arbitrary decision is made to tell us how much is too much. People find other ways to get relief, which feeds the narrative THEY want, that addicts are scum.

If I want to stay "doped up" all day due to chronic pain, and I'm not breaking any laws such as driving under the influence or selling my pills, it's none of the governments business. Even if it kills me, my body, my choice

The powers that be pick & choose winners & losers. get an abortion - winner!, need opioids - loser.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

Oznell — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:55:45 GMT

A reminder-- it is the illicitly manufactured fentanyl, outside of the U.S., that is flooding the border and wreaking death and destruction. Authorities are now even using the short form "i.m.f."-- "illicitly manufactured fentanyl", to preserve the distinction.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

hckynutjohn — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:09:57 GMT

(thread title)

Good! There are cities and states where people who are not citizens, have been arrested. They were caught trying to sneak in with millions of $$$ worth of Fentanyl, arrested, and then let loose posting no bond! What are the odds they will show up for their court hearing?

As most here have said, most of these deaths are not OD! Those individuals were poisoned, and the informed know what countries are involved in making and distributing this poison. Yet!!!!

Our country needs more laws and judges such as the ones in this case.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

occasionalrain — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:13:59 GMT

Laws and prison sentences will not stop the illegal drug trade. What will is legalizing drugs which will remove the cash incentive from trafficking and insure the drug is what it claims to be. The restrictive drug regulations are preventing those in pain from receiving relief, forcing them to turn to illegal sources. Many of those in severe pain are veterans who were injured serving our country. They should not be denied or limited pain medication.

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

hckynutjohn — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:10:17 GMT

@occasionalrain

Like you, I wish the solution were that simple. Just like a serious or chronic health issue. Treating the symptoms, does not eliminate the issue, it just prolongs most of them. Eliminating the source is the goal in the medical fields.

The same is true with these illegal drugs. Legalizing these substances would only be treating the symptoms. We know where the ingredients to make these fake drugs are coming from. We also know where these ingredients are being manufactured into these phony drugs.

As far as I can see while following the increased number of deaths from this? Nothing is being done to even try to eliminate the primary source, or the secondary source.

I don't equate Prescription Pain Medications to the illegal drug market. Those that genuinely need pain medications should be able to get them. Unfortunately, like many other things, a few ruin it for the many.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Man gets Life in Prision for selling Fentanyl

BoopOMatic — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:13:08 GMT

Hopefully he will never get parole!