KENTUCKY — A Cincinnati man has been arrested following a months-long fentanyl trafficking investigation in central Kentucky, according to the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force.
Authorities said Elijah Hamler trafficked fentanyl from Cincinnati into Harrison County. The investigation began in June after investigators conducted a controlled heroin purchase from Hamler that later tested positive for fentanyl.
During the course of the investigation, officials said approximately 28,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl were seized.
“Fentanyl is usually the primary drug causing overdose deaths because of how potent it is, even in small quantities,” said Mark Burden, director of the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force.
Investigators said Hamler had outstanding warrants and turned himself in to the Cincinnati Probation Office last Friday. A Harrison County grand jury has indicted him on multiple charges, including aggravated drug trafficking and importing fentanyl.
Burden said removing Hamler and the drugs from circulation likely prevented numerous overdoses and deaths in the community.
The task force was formed in 2018, when Harrison County had the highest overdose death rate per capita in Kentucky. Officials said the county has since seen a significant decline in overdose deaths and drug-related calls for service.
Hamler is currently being held at the Bourbon County Detention Center.
