APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A 22-year-old Appleton man has been arrested in connection with a recent spike in heroin overdose deaths in the area.
The Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG) Drug Unit arrested DeWayne Farris at a residence in the 1500 block of N. Oneida Street Monday night. Charges being sought against Farris are manufacturing and delivering heroin and possession of THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana.
Farris is due in court Wednesday afternoon.
Appleton police say, as of Monday afternoon, there were at least six heroin overdoses within an 18-hour span.
“This arrest does not signal the end of the investigation, nor does it indicate the threat of overdose from this lethal batch of heroin is over,” said a statement from Appleton police. “It is unknown how much of the potentially deadly heroin has been distributed in the area.”
Authorities encourage heroin users to seek help for their addiction by contacting their county crisis provider or nearest hospital.
Tips can be called in anonymously to the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500 or the MEG Unit at (920) 225-6855. Tips can be texted in by texting CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of the message.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
