WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — An 18-year-old is facing federal drug charges after investigators said he was caught red-handed Tuesday trying to sell a brick of heroin in Washington County.
Federal investigators described Tristin Axton as a mid-level heroin dealer who they have been monitoring closely before his arrest.
“He was located by law enforcement while actually in the process of selling a brick of heroin to a known heroin user,” United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania David Hickton said.
Investigators said when they arrested Axton, he had 50 stamp bags on him. After searching his home, they also found 70 stamp bags of heroin, cash and three cellphones.
Authorities said Axton is a prime example of the federal government’s crackdown on heroin dealers.
“We have no intention of backing off,” Hickton said.
Officials showed Channel 11 News Wednesday where they are keeping information of drug overdoses in Western Pennsylvania, calling it the Fusion Center. The office is designed so local, state and federal authorities can work together to track down heroin dealers.
“By centralizing overdose intelligence through location, this Fusion Center will allow us to respond more rapidly to overdoses and deaths,” Hickton said.
Investigators said after Axton’s arrest, more dealers will follow suit hoping they can curtail the heroin epidemic.
“We continue to give no quarter to those who exploit sick addicts,” Hickton said.
Axton went before a federal judge Wednesday morning. Investigators said more charges could be added to the federal drug charges he’s already facing.
Cox Media Group
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