Home Crime Hamlet Police seek suspect in death by distribution case

Hamlet Police seek suspect in death by distribution case

HAMLET — Police are asking for help locating a man they say is responsible for providing drugs that led to a fatal overdose last month.

The Hamlet Police Department on Sunday published on Facebook a wanted poster for 23-year-old Byron McKenzie in a death by distribution case.

Investigators say the victim, whose name has not yet been released, died of a suspected meth overdose in late March. Police are still awaiting the toxicology report.

Anyone with information on McKenzie’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Hamlet Police Department at 910-582-2551 or Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454.

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Detective A. Zepetella said the the department is trying to work several overdose cases backwards to determine the origin of the drugs.

The death by distribution law, which was approved by Sen. Tom McInnis and former state Rep. Scott Brewer, was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper in July of 2019 and went into effect in December of that year.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office charged Regina Collins with death by distribution in January of 2020. State records show Collins was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in August of 2020 and served seven months in prison. Her parole ended Feb. 14 of this year.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 



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