Photo: Lincoln Police Department
(Lincoln, NE) -- Two people are arrested in connection to dozens of recent drug overdoses and deaths in the Lincoln area and investigators say one of the people accused worked for the Nebraska State Patrol.
On Friday, the Lincoln Police Department announced that 35 year old Anna Idigima and 35 year old George Weaver Jr. were both arrested on Thursday on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute 140 grams or more of Cocaine and Fentanyl. Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force have been working since mid-summer to track down the source of the drugs that have been causing so many overdoses. LPD says between July 24th and August 19th, the Lincoln community experienced an increase in reported drug overdoses related to cocaine laced with fentanyl. "Our agency investigated 35 overdoses during that time, nine of which resulted in death. Additionally, one surviving victim was pregnant, and the baby did not survive."
Investigators gathered information that Idigima and Weaver Jr., both of Lincoln, were involved in the distribution of illicit drugs. Idigima was an employee of the Nebraska State Patrol working in the evidence unit. LPD, along with the Nebraska State Patrol, did an audit of NSP’s evidence facilities in Lincoln and determined that drugs were missing including cocaine and fentanyl during the time of her employment. During the investigation, over $1.2 million in drugs were found to be missing from NSP evidence.
Investigators traced the trail from some the overdoses to the original source which was determined to be Idigima and Weaver. Both were charged on Friday, with bond set for each of them at $3 million. If found guilty on the charges, the couple face 20 years to life in prison.
“This employee had betrayed the trust of the people of Nebraska who look to the State Patrol as the professional and dedicated law enforcement agency that it is,” NSP Col. John Bolduc said. “She also betrayed the trust placed in her by our troopers and investigators and civilian team members who take pride in our constant mission to keep Nebraska safe. Worse than that, her actions appear to have caused immense pain for many people in this community.”
NSP Col. John Bolduc said they’ve already begun a thorough review of their evidence storage policies and procedures.
The investigation into overdoses is still ongoing. Lincoln Police encourage anyone with information to contact them at 402-441-6000, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force at 402-441-8181, or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
Photo: Lincoln Police Department