WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – Police attacked the opioid epidemic head-on as an accused drug dealer was charged in the overdose death of a West Bloomfield woman.
Two weeks ago, West Bloomfield police caused controversy when they raided the home of a suspected heroin dealer in Detroit. The raid was miles outside their jurisdiction, and now it has led to charges for an alleged drug dealer who prosecutors said sold a deadly dose.
The case involves the distribution of fentanyl, one of the drugs heroin is cut with that makes it a fatal dose. This time, it led to the death of a 26-year-old woman, police said.
Leroy Hardwick, 41, was arraigned Wednesday on charges he distributed fentanyl, a powerful drug normally used to treat cancer patients.
Police said it was Hardwick's heroin laced with fentanyl that led to the overdose death of the woman Aug. 8.
Hardwick was arrested after his east-side home was raided Aug. 23.
As the judge went through Hardwick's criminal past, a few things jumped out. He has 39 unanswered traffic citations and a felony drug conviction in 2002.
Hardwick told the judge his two children need him at home, but the judge handed down a $1 million bond.
Hardwick told the judge he can't afford $1 million, but the judge wasn't convinced he would appear if he was let out.
You can watch Jason Colthorp's full story in the video posted above.