Downtown overdose spike likely from fentanyl-laced crack cocaine, APD says

Detectives with the Austin Police Department seized crack cocaine that tested positive for fentanyl, and the agency now believes the spike in overdoses downtown was a result of people taking fentanyl-laced crack, APD said in a statement.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Detectives with the Austin Police Department seized crack cocaine that tested positive for fentanyl, and the agency now believes the spike in overdoses downtown was a result of people taking fentanyl-laced crack, APD said in a statement.

As of Thursday, ATCEMS responded to more than 70 overdoses in Austin, and nine people died. More information will be available once toxicology reports are complete, both APD and ATCEMS said.

Private security guards who work downtown said the overdose patients they gave Narcan to were experiencing homelessness.

"At this time nothing points to a single organized group distributing the illicit narcotics in the city of Austin," APD said. "The Organized Crime Division is currently conducting proactive undercover operations in various parts of Austin in the attempt to locate and arrest narcotics dealers and obtain more information on the source of the fentanyl."

Police have arrested two people in connection with the overdoses. One person faces charges for a felon in possession of a firearm, another faces the third-degree felony of possession of a controlled substance.

ATCEMS has administered 435 doses of Narcan since Monday.

KXAN is speaking with Urban Alchemy, which operates homeless outreach downtown, later this afternoon. Check back for updates.