2 in Ohio charged with dealing tranquilizer-laced heroin
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two Ohio residents have been indicted on federal charges of distributing heroin laced with carfentanil (kahr-FEHN'-tuh-nihl), a substance used to tranquilize large animals that authorities say is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.
Federal, state and local officials say the seven-count indictment announced Wednesday alleges 31-year-old Phillip Watkins and 26-year-old Jeanetta Crawford conspired in August to sell heroin laced with carfentanil from their Cincinnati home. The indictment also charges them with operating drug-involved premises. Authorities allege the drugs caused serious physical harm, including nonfatal overdoses.
Watkins and Crawford were arrested Sept. 15 and have been ordered held without bond.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Watkins' attorney Scott Rubenstein said Thursday that it's too early in the case to comment. Crawford's attorney didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on her behalf.