Ex-deputy sheriff, 3 Chinese men charged for fentanyl sales

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PHILADELPHIA – Prosecutors in Philadelphia say a former suburban deputy sheriff and three Chinese nationals have been charged with running an online fentanyl delivery service linked to five deaths.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Chinese distributors took orders from around the globe on websites based in their country, then sent the product to a Philadelphia storage facility rented by David Landis. Landis worked for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office until 2014.

Landis shipped the contraband through the U.S. mail to customers in 21 states and overseas.

U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain says five customers from Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio and Illinois died of overdoses within days of receiving their orders over the last three years.

The Chinese nationals charged Tuesday include Deyao Chen, Guichun Chen and Liangtu Pan. It’s unknown if they have attorneys.

Landis has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and drug possession.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com

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