9 Charged In Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking Ring That Led To Overdoses

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Members of a local drug trafficking organization accused of conspiring to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and other drugs are facing several charges.

Nine of the thirteen defendants -- one from Warren and the others from Detroit -- were charged with distributing fentanyl and heroin resulting in overdose deaths and serious injuries.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says the organization known as "Polo" became the focus of an investigation in March when heroin sold by the group was connected to a spike in overdoses.

Five people were arrested in Warren and Detroit in what officials called a "major drug cartel" raid in June. The five in custody in connection with the raids were Demarco Tempo, Haratio Heard, Greg Howard, Dennis Jones and Amacio Alexander.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts says seven city residents died of overdoses earlier this year.

The investigation was led by the Warren Police Department and the DEA.