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Man arrested in connection to fatal overdose may have supplied heroin laced with elephant sedative

Posted at 4:48 PM, Jul 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-15 17:23:20-04

A man is facing charges for allegedly supplying heroin to a woman who later died of an overdose in New Franklin.

Police are now investigating whether the case is tied to other heroin overdoses in Summit County in which carfentanil—an extremely powerful drug used to sedate elephants, rhinoceroses and zebras—was used.

According to the Summit County Medical Examiner's office, powder found in a baggie on the victim tested positive for carfentanil.

Jonathan Becker, 23, is charged with trafficking in drugs and corrupting another with drugs.

Police say he supplied heroin to 19-year-old Alexandria Hoover. She died of an overdose on July 10. 

Akron Police Chief James Nice said it's possible the carfentanil may be coming from China and those who have overdosed in Akron have either injected or snorted the drug.