Fentanyl-related deaths continue to mount
Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha said butyryl fentanyl, a “designer opiate” new to the county, contributed to three deaths last month in January 2017 in Greensburg, Ligonier Township and Leechburg. A national opioid epidemic has led to a record-setting number of deaths, a strain on taxpayers and a coordinated response from officials trying to slow the casualties. Between 2012 and 2015, Westmoreland County experienced 377 overdose deaths, according to coroner statistics.
Police bust major heroin ring in Westmoreland County
Law enforcement officials on Wednesday announced arrests in connection with a suspected heroin ring based in Westmoreland County. Authorities said Chauncy Bray is accused of leading the operation, which moved more than 1,800 stamp bags of heroin throughout the county within a month. http://www.wpxi.com/news/police-bust-major-heroin-ring-in-westmoreland-county/490014009
