CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland issued a serious warning to the public regarding a recent upsurge of drug overdoses in the county. Within a 24-hour period between June 11- 12 there were five drug related overdoses, one of which was fatal.
The preliminary investigation could not confirm a connection between the five overdoses. Sutherland said law enforcement is seeing adulteration of the street drug supply, specifically suspected heroin and fentanyl, where the overall toxicity is unknown and potentially lethal.
The Cape May County Forensic Laboratory is analyzing substances seized from these investigations. According to Sutherland, having a local laboratory within the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office can speed up the time it takes to identify the illegal substances.
In an effort to educate the public, curtail the opiate epidemic and reduce drug related crimes in Cape May County, the Prosecutor’s Office deploys the Hope One Mobile Unit weekly to bring addiction and recovery services and other resources to the community.
If you or someone you know needs recovery support, Hope One’s 24/7 hotline is 609-522-4375.
Prosecutor Sutherland ensures the community that the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force is working diligently with all of the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target distributors of these illegal substances in an effort to prevent further tragedies from drug related overdoses. The prosecutor urges families to educate their children and loved ones as to the dangers of such illegal drugs and to continue to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the community.
Information can be reported to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135 or anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.
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