Hiram man caught with enough fentanyl to kill 500K faces federal charges, officials say
A 39-year-old Hiram man, known by some as "Juice," was allegedly caught with multiple guns, over $170,000 in cash, and enough drugs to kill half a million people.
What we know:
Darrlin Vernard Warner, known as "Juice," was arraigned on federal charges related to drug trafficking. Those charges included conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute these drugs, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Officials reportedly recovered approximately one kilogram of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $177,000 in cash from Warner's home and vehicle.
They believe he intended to have the drugs sold in the region of Paulding and Douglas counties.
Why you should care:
Just two milligrams of illicit fentanyl could kill someone, depending on their size. One kilogram of fentanyl is enough to potentially kill 500,000 people.
What we don't know:
The outcome of Warner's trial remains uncertain, as he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The specifics of how Warner allegedly obtained and distributed the drugs were not mentioned in the information released by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
What they're saying:
"Warner was allegedly trafficking a substantial amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, posing an immense threat to the safety of residents of Paulding and Douglas Counties," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to ravage communities throughout northern Georgia. Our Office is especially proud of the impact that our federal, state, and local law enforcement made in this investigation."
"Fentanyl poisonings and other dangerous drugs are taking a terrible toll on Georgia," said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. "Disrupting the manufacturers and distributers of this poison remains a high priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners."
What's next:
Warner's case will proceed through the judicial system, where the government will present its evidence. The public is encouraged to report any information about drug trafficking to the appropriate authorities.
What you can do:
If you have information about drug sales or trafficking in your area, you can report it to the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or the DEA’s Atlanta Division Office at (404) 893-7000. Online tips can be submitted at DEA's website.
Dig deeper:
For more information about the OCDETF Program and its initiatives, visit OCDETF's website.
The Source: The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia provided the information reported in this article.