Man Who Caused 11 Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Is Sentenced To Life In Prison

by

A Minnesota man has been sentenced to life in prison for 11 fentanyl deaths – NPR

Prosecutors say Aaron Broussard worked with China-based drug suppliers to smuggle drugs into the U.S. using the mail system and a Click-N-Ship account.

Broussard, a 31-year-old from Hopkins, Minn., would purchase controlled substances from drug suppliers in China, and then list the substances on his website as plant food. However, he would not test his drugs, and instead sold and sent the drugs to more than a dozen people who were expecting to receive a drug similar to Adderall.

Broussard ordered 100 grams of 4-FA, but received 100 grams of 99% pure fentanyl, the DOJ said.

Broussard sent his branded packages containing fentanyl to more than 12 customers throughout the U.S. between March 31 and April 27, 2016. The customers thought the drugs were similar to Adderall.

Broussard fired his court-appointed attorney and filed a flurry of motions seeking to vacate his conviction, which caused a six-week delay in his sentencing hearing.

Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said the sentencing should serve as a wakeup call to the drug traffickers pushing fentanyl in and around our communities.

Fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans between 18 and 45, and the Drug Enforcement Administration is calling on the Chinese government to crack down on the supply chain networks producing the illegal drug.