The dealer police allege sold the drugs that killed 16-year-old Angel Loyer-Lawrence has been arrested and charges have been recommended.
Angel suffered a fatal overdose after she and a group of friends bought MDMA, a well-known party drug, the evening of June 2. A second girl, also 16, survived a bad reaction to the drugs after she was rushed to the hospital.
New Westminster Police Department has announced it is recommending two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance against the person they believe is responsible for selling the drugs that contributed to both overdoses, according to a statement issued today (Wednesday).
The announcement comes after more than a month-long investigation into the incident. Police confirmed a suspect was arrested and has been released pending conditions to appear in court at a later date.
“It is clear to me that the success of this police operation was the result of the methodical and painstaking team effort on the part of all the investigating officers,” said New Westminster police spokesperson Staff Sgt. Andrew Perry. “We will continue to work hard to proactively tackle drug dealing throughout New Westminster, and I hope residents can feel reassured that we are taking positive action.”
Both girls were students at the New Westminster-based POWER alternate school, a program that serves vulnerable students age 16 to 18 from across the Lower Mainland.
Angel had only recently enrolled in the POWER program, but her death had an impact on everyone in the program, POWER principal Steve inniss told the Record previously.
“Angel joined us at POWER only a few short weeks ago, but in that time we were pleased to see that she had made friends and was making good progress and she was proud that she was on the road to graduation. She was open and outgoing and helpful with staff and students alike. We will miss her very much. Our hearts and our thoughts are with her family and all others with whom she was close and whose lives she touched,” he said.
