Over the past several months, the Richland Police Department FLEX Unit has been investigating a ring of suspects, who police say have been selling and distributing suspected fentanyl all over the Metro Area.

Officials say this week narcotics investigators, along with investigators from other surrounding agencies, put a major dent in this operation and there are still more arrests to come.

RELATED: 11 Arrested On Drug Related Charges After Multi-Agency Investigation In Metro

Throughout this investigation, there have been numerous fentanyl overdoses throughout Rankin County, mainly younger aged adults and even some juveniles. In 2023, the overdose death rate in the United States topped 112,000 in a 12 month period for the first time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal researchers now say drug overdoses are a leading cause of death among young Americans age 18-45.

This week, the Richland Police Department FLEX Unit, has arrested 6 suspects, and assisted the Rankin County Sheriffs Department with the investigation on another suspect, who was arrested, that were all selling/distributing suspected fentanyl. A substantial amount of suspected fentanyl pills have been recovered during this investigation. Also, during this investigation, some of the suspected fentanyl was intercepted by the FLEX Unit, the night prior before it was to be distributed at another local school, to another juvenile.

Arrested:

Pedro Martinez Garcia –  17yoa CERTIFIED AS AN ADULT – Sale of fentanyl (currently out on bond for previous charges of Sale of fentanyl, Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and Possession of methamphetamine)

Brooklyn Goss – 21 yoa –  Sale of fentanyl , Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute

Ayden Broome – 18 yoa – Sale of fentanyl within 1500ft of school, church, park, Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, Conspiracy to sell/distribute fentanyl

Mollie Mcnally – 19yoa – Sale of fentanyl within 1500ft of school, church, park, Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, Conspiracy to sell/distribute fentanyl

Haley Dunlap – 19 yoa – Sale of fentanyl

16 yoa JUVENILE – Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute

17 yoa JUVENILE – HEARING SET IN YOUTH COURT TO BE CERTIFIED AS AN ADULT. Sale of fentanyl within 1500ft of school, church, park, Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, Conspiracy to sell/distribute fentanyl