20-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Deadly Heroin Overdoses

A 20-year-old Derby man has been arrested in connection with two suspected heroin overdose deaths and two heroin-related medical emergencies, according to NBC CT News.

Bradley Commerford, 20, of Derby, is accused of selling heroin to one of the victims of a fatal overdose in Derby and two non-fatal overdoses in Shelton.

Detectives from Derby, Shelton, Ansonia and Monroe Police Departments worked together, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad to investigate the source of the heroin connected to the overdoses.

Patch recently reported that Shelton and Derby police teamed up to investigate a rash of heroin overdoses and that in recent weeks, more than a dozen heroin overdoses have been reported in Connecticut, many of which have been coming from the New London area.

Last Wednesday, Shelton police posted the following warning on its Facebook page about the local overdoses.

“Police are warning the public about this sudden increase in overdoses and fatalities associated with heroin use,” according to the Facebook announcement. “The Derby and Shelton Police Departments, along with other law enforcement agencies, are working together to identify the source(s) of the heroin and proactively thwart any future incidents.

Related

• Shelton PD Assist in Search for Lethal Heroin
• Opinion: Danbury Doctor Says Current Measures to Fix Heroin Epidemic Fail to Focus on Problem’s True Source
• Heroin-Related Deaths Skyrocket in Connecticut

Image via Flickr Creative Commons, Credit: Destinee Deeds