COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Columbus police said multiple overdose victims led them to the arrest of a man they believe is a
large-scale heroin dealer" in the Bartholomew County area.
Members of the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested Matthew "Matty" Zook, 34, during a traffic stop Tuesday night.
A search of his vehicle reportedly turned up more than 34 grams of heroin, as well as two grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, Suboxone, drug paraphernalia and a handgun.
Police said they were led to Zook after receiving several anonymous calls and conducting multiple interviews of overdose victims and witnesses.
HEROIN IN INDIANA | Increasingly potent, extremely toxic opioids becoming more common in Indiana | Woman overdoses on new heroin-like drug 'Gray Death'
Bartholomew County detectives say they believe Zook is a "large-scale heroin dealer" who has been trafficking the drug from Cincinnati to the Columbus area.
Zook was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing and possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a handgun without a permit.
A passenger in Zook's vehicle, 34-year-old Tasha L. Barnes, of Columbus, was also arrested on charges of dealing and possession of heroin and possession of methamphetamine.
Police said they expect additional arrests stemming from an ongoing investigation into illegal drugs in Bartholomew County.
HEROIN IN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY | Columbus couple overdoses on heroin, crashes into house | Accused 19-year-old heroin dealer linked to rash of overdoses in Bartholomew County | Accused heroin dealer linked to tainted heroin revived from suspected overdose | Columbus woman overdoses on heroin with kids in car
