By NATE KING
Salina Post
Law enforcement authorities investigating a fentanyl overdose death that occurred last year have made an arrest.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Officers were sent to the 1400 block of Prospect Avenue for an individual who was reportedly not breathing. When officers arrived on scene they located the 33-year-old victim and acknowledged that she was not breathing.
Salina Police Sergeant Tonniges said this morning that paramedics were able to establish her breathing again and she was taken to the hospital. She passed away on October 3.
"It was suspected that this was an overdose. So we investigated it," Tonniges said. "There was an autopsy that confirmed she passed away due to fentanyl intoxication. Through our investigation, we were able to arrest Gregory Walburn, 36, of Salina for the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in her death."
READ: SPD provides additional info about drug bust in south Salina home
Tonniges said Walburn is already in police custody where he is charged with allegedly committing the following crimes:
●Six counts of aggravated endangering a child
●Distribution of opiates
●Possession of opiates
●Two counts of Kansas Tax Stamp Violation
●Possession of methamphetamine
●Distribution of methamphetamine
●Criminal possession of a firearm
●Possession of stolen propert
Tonniges said when dealing with investigating drug crimes tracking down the exact drug dealer who sold the illicit drug to the victim is sometimes difficult to do.
"People who buy drugs, they don't generally buy from one person routinely," Tonniges said. "So you can't just say, 'If you sell me drugs, and I die, that you're the one that did it.' So basically, you're doing a homicide investigation and a drug conspiracy investigation at the same time."
When asked what measures investigative officers go to in order to track down drug dealers Tonniges said it is an all hands on deck approach.
"There's a lot of things we do. We've had a number of overdoses last year, and every single one of them we look into and see if we can do something," Tonniges said. "We talk to witnesses, cell phones, social media, all kinds of things. Sometimes we get lucky and there's some good evidence."
To learn more about the Opioid and Fentanyl crisis and its impacts on our community go to the Saline County Opioid Dashboard.