WVU is sharing the following announcement from the Morgantown Police Department on Thursday, Nov. 14:
UPDATED Thursday, Nov. 14:
Overdoses and hospitalizations of high school students in a 24-hour time frame attributed to the use of heroin laced "vape pens” led to the investigation of the source of the suspected narcotics.
Today, following up on leads that were generated, officers of the Morgantown Police Department and the MonMetro Drug Task Force were able to identify and confirm another source of the suspected “vape pens” and “vaping solutions.” On Nov. 13 at approximately 6 p.m., a Morgantown PD K-9 officer conducted a traffic stop on Gallatin Street with a 2018 Dodge Ram Truck being operated by Tristan Clay Anderson, 23 years of age of Bolivar, Ohio. K-9 Oliver alerted on the vehicle and a subsequent search lead to the recovery of more than 2 ½ pounds of marijuana, scales and packaging materials.
Detectives continued the investigation and obtained and served a search warrant at Anderson's local address at 351 Virginia Avenue. During the search warrant detectives recovered more than 25 pounds of marijuana, more than 70 bottles of highly concentrated Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oils and other controlled substances, more than 300 “TKO” labeled vaping cartridges and over 100 THC edible candies.
Anderson has been charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance and is pending arraignment.
UPDATED Monday, Nov. 4:
Morgantown Police continue to investigate the source of heroin laced vape pens which resulted in the overdose and hospitalization of two high school students in a 24-hour time frame.
Today (Nov. 4), following up on leads that were generated from the investigation, officers of the Morgantown Police Department and the MonMetro Drug Task Force were able to identify and confirm one source of the suspected vape pens and vaping solutions. During the investigation, a suspect was identified as a juvenile high school student, who distributed at least one of the devices. The ongoing investigation led detectives to obtain a search warrant which resulted in the recovery of over 100 charged vape solutions, marijuana, packaging materials and empty vape cartridges that were being filled with the suspected vaping solution. A photograph of one known contaminated product is attached to this news release. The name on the suspected device is “TKO.”
The investigation is still ongoing, and it is believed that there are other brands and types of vape cartridges in circulation, but the “TKO” is confirmed as one that was contaminated with heroin and other dangerous chemicals.
Should any parent suspect that their child is in possession of the vape pen or vaping solution, please throw it away or turn it in to law enforcement for possible testing. The Morgantown Police Department is not interested in charging anyone that turns these items in but is focused on the source of this potentially deadly product.
The Morgantown Police Department is committed to
its goal of eliminating criminal activity in our city. Citizens are encouraged
to become a “Partner in Policing,”
by reporting suspected criminal activity to Morgantown Police Department
Switchboard at 304.284.7522. If you need immediate Police attention or a
crime is in progress call 911.
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT (Friday, Nov. 1)
During the past 24 hours, two high school students have overdosed and been hospitalized as a result of overdosing on heroin laced “Vape Pens.” Preliminary testing on one of the “Vape” solutions has indicated that the solution contained heroin, and other opioids as well as a significant number of other chemicals.
These types of solutions are extremely dangerous and potentially fatal from as little as one use. Anyone using, possession or even knows of anyone in possession of vape solutions that were not purchased directly from a retail store are asked to either turn them in to school administration, law enforcement or throw them away. At least one of the devices was sold as liquid marijuana, which is also dangerous in these types of devices and possibly fatal when mixed with other chemicals and controlled substances.
Should any parent suspect that their child is in possession of the vape pen or vaping solution, please throw it away or turn it in to law enforcement for possible testing. The Morgantown Police Department is not interested in charging anyone that turns these items in but is focused on the source of this potentially deadly product.
The Morgantown Police Department is committed to its goal of eliminating criminal activity in our city. Citizens are encouraged to become a “Partner in Policing,” by reporting suspected criminal activity to Morgantown Police Department Switchboard at 304.284.7522. If you need immediate Police attention or a crime is in progress call 911.