Twelve people who belong to an Oakland County drug ring called "TEAM," have been charged federally with selling heroin mixed with fentanyl in Oakland County and elsewhere.
Seven of those people are accused of distributing fentanyl and heroin resulting in an overdose death and serious injury.
Dealers are making the drugs stronger, and more deadly, by lacing heroin with fentanyl – a drug 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin, authorities say.
"Overdose deaths from heroin and fentanyl have become a national epidemic, including here in Michigan, as people addicted to prescription pills become desperate to feed their addictions," Detroit U.S. Attorney Daniel Lemisch said in a statement. "Law enforcement agencies are banding together to prosecute traffickers who are exploiting these addictions and risking lives for profit."
Federal authorities on Wednesday announced the charges, alleging that “TEAM” members sold heroin in Oakland County, as well as Livingston, Macomb and Wayne counties since 2010. “TEAM” was formed when members of the “Hustle Boys” and the “Wall Street Gorillaz” joined together to distribute heroin, federal authorities said.
Authorities charged that “TEAM” members delivered heroin to homes or locations like parking lots at various strip malls. Gang members also sold heroin from two “trap” houses at 595 Granada Drive in Pontiac and 380 West Hopkins Avenue in Pontiac, authorities said.
“TEAM” informed customers of heroin for sale by sending individual and group text messages with the word “FIRE," according to a press release.
Those charged included: Timothy Williams, 26, of Pontiac' Kristopher Anderson, 40, of Pontiac; Deaire Rayford, 26, of Auburn Hills; Christopher Light, 25, of Commerce; Kourvoisiea Pittman, 27, of Keego Harbor; Robert Bell, Jr., 28, of Pontiac; Deandre Mullen, 26, of Pontiac; Steven Erkins, 24, of Pontiac; Anthony Lee, 27,of Pontiac; Quanzay Milton, 32, of Pontiac; Antonio Bell, 26, of Waterford and James Bellmore, 50, of Waterford.
“TEAM” was led by Timothy Williams, who went by the name “T2.” Williams was also charged with distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury to four victims.
