LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – An accused Cincinnati drug trafficker is off the streets of central Kentucky after a months-long investigation by the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force.
The task force says Elijah Hamler trafficked fentanyl from Cincinnati into Harrison County. Investigators say the investigation started in June when they made a controlled heroin purchase from Hamler, which turned out to be laced with fentanyl.
During the investigation, authorities seized 28,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is the, usually the primary drug that’s causing the death, so that’s how lethal and potent it is, even in small quantities,” said Mark Burden, director of the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force.
Arrest and charges
Burden says Hamler had outstanding warrants and turned himself in to the Cincinnati Probation Office last Friday. A Harrison County grand jury indicted Hamler on charges of aggravated drug trafficking and importing fentanyl, among others…