KILLER HEROIN HITS AGAIN IN COUNTY

CHESTER -- With as many as 14 possible cases of fentanyl-laced heroin
overdoses under investigation, narcotics officers infiltrated an area
of the city and arrested a suspected dealer within three hours
Wednesday, authorities said.

No deaths have been reported in connection with the ongoing
investigation, though two people who arrived at Crozer-Chester
Medical Center on Tuesday remained on a ventilator Wednesday,
according to city narcotics Sgt. Joseph Bail.

"This stuff gives new meaning to the idea of heroin being deadly,"
said Bail, who along with city Police Commissioner John Finnegan
issued a stern warning to potential heroin customers.

"These people think they are buying regular, good old-fashion
heroin," Bail said. "This particular batch is laced with fentanyl and
it has been verified by the Pennsylvania State Police lab."

Bail is referring to heroin in bags labeled "Assassin," a brand not
normally tainted with fentanyl -- a potent painkiller. There is no
detectable difference between regular and so-called bad heroin until
it's too late.

Alleged dealer Angel Sastre, 31, of Chester Township, was observed in
what appeared to be a drug sale with Wesley Batemen, 26, of
Brookhaven, in the 900 block of Walnut Street about 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Bail said.

One of the hospitalized victims stuck a needle in her arm and
immediately passed out Wednesday morning. She later told
investigators that she purchased heroin in a bag labeled "Assassin"
in the 900 block of Walnut Street.

The woman was found at Second and Engle streets shortly before noon.

"When the paramedic got there, she still had the needle in her arm," Bail said.

At the time of his arrest, Sastre was in possession of 2 1/2 bundles
of heroin, both packaged for sale and marked "Assassin," according to
Bail. That volume of heroin usually translates into about 30 street bags.

The bundles were taken to the Pennsylvania State Police lab for
immediate testing, Bail said. "The preliminary results show it tested
positive for fentanyl.

"We are not finished with this investigation by any stretch," Bail
said. "Getting this (alleged dealer) off the street is a start. He
was our major target where people were getting (the bad heroin) today."

According to Bail, the woman is one of as many as 14 people who may
have purchased bad heroin in the city since Monday.

Separate investigations involving heroin have been ongoing in Upper
Darby in recent weeks.

According to Bail, two patients who arrived at Crozer on Tuesday
remained on ventilators Wednesday. Investigators are still tracking
down other possible victims.

Of the victims who have been identified, seven people said they
purchased the drug from Ninth and Walnut streets, or Ninth and Morton Avenue.

Late last month, the Delaware County Medical Examiner's Office said
three deaths in Delaware County were due to heroin tainted with fentanyl.

On Wednesday, Delaware County Medical Examiner Dr. Fredric N. Hellman
said there is a possibility of a fourth victim, but toxicological
evidence was insufficient. He found heroin metabolite in urine, but
not the bloodstream.

He ruled the death as multiple drug intoxication.

As this point, Sastre was charged with distribution and related
offenses, but further review by the Delaware County District
Attorney's Office could result in additional offenses.

Sastre was still waiting to be arraigned Wednesday night.

According to Bail, Bateman is charged with purchasing three bags,
which sell for about $10 each on the street.

"I really have to commend the officers in this investigation," Bail
said. "They were able to get out there and made an arrest within three hours."

Bail said the investigation involved city Detectives James E. Nolan
IV and Randy Bothwell and a team of narcotics investigators, as well
as members of the county's Drug Task Force.

A general radio message was issued to all police agencies in the
county and in the state of Delaware about the situation, Bail said.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately contact city
narcotics investigators or county detectives, or call 911.