Woman Arrested For Allegedly Distributing Fentanyl In Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Authorities have arrested a Sacramento woman for allegedly distributing hydrocodone and the deadly drug fentanyl.
Mildred Dossman, 50, was arrested at her home in Sacramento on Tuesday following an investigation revealing that between June 18, 2015 and March 27 of this year, she allegedly distributed the drugs in Sacramento County, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dossman was arraigned on charges of possessing the drugs with the intent to distribute them, distributing them, and using her cellphone to conduct her illicit activity.
Today's arrest comes as 53 people in the Sacramento area have overdosed in recent months after taking Norco pills laced with fentanyl, and 12 people have died. A synthetic opiate, fentanyl can speed up a user's high, but can be deadly. It's reported to be 80 times a strong as morphine, and hundreds of times more potent than heroin.
If convicted, Dossman could serve up to 20 years in prison and pay a $1 million fine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 61 percent of drug overdoses involved opioids, including heroin, in 2014. Officials also say the age-adjusted death rate from synthetic opioids, like Fentanyl, went up 80 percent from 2013 to 2014.
Autopsy results show singer-songwriter Prince died of a self-administered overdose of Fentanyl, and his death was ruled accidental.
The investigation continues into fentanyl and hydrocodone distribution in the greater Sacramento Area. The DEA has established a tip line, and callers can remain anonymous. Anyone with information relating to this investigation is encouraged to call the tip line at 530-722-7577.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that 53 people had died from fentanyl overdose.