NJ cops warn about deadly ‘King of Death’ heroin — but addicts may want it more

ATLANTIC CITY — Police in South Jersey are warning about a potentially bad batch of heroin that has killed at least two people.

City police said that there has been an increase in the number of heroin overdoses in the past week resulting in at least six deaths.  Wednesday night there were six overdoses with two being fatal, according to police, who said heroin bags stamped "King of Death" were responsible in at least two cases.

Police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Fair said that the stamps on the bag are put there by a dealer and could be one of many.

"Depending on what movies are hot, it might be a movie name or a superhero symbol. This happens to be 'the King of Death' and whatever the dealer or distributor cuts a drug with is probably what is killing or making these people overdose," Fair said.

The stamp acts as a brand that users will seek out because of their potency.

Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said that "everything that's out there today can kill you. Anyone who makes a purchase is rolling the dice. You don't know what you're getting."

He said that a man in Toms River recently died from a heroin overdose that turned out to be straight Fentanyl.

He also said that when warnings come out, some addicts will purposely seek out the dangerous batches.

"The disease takes over their thinking and all they want is the ultimate high."

Fair said that 911 should be called immediately if you know someone who may be using heroin and experiencing an overdose. State law protects people who get help for victims of overdoses.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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