A Gainesville man has been indicted and arrested in connection with a fentanyl overdose that claimed the life of a Habersham County resident. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 28-year-old Corey Cantrell is facing charges for Aggravated Involuntary Manslaughter for Sale of Fentanyl and Possession of a controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, stemming from the death of 27-year-old Sidney Cantrell, who is not related to the defendant.
The GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), at the request of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, initiated an investigation on January 19, after Sidney Cantrell succumbed to an overdose. The investigation revealed that the fentanyl obtained by Sidney directly came from Corey Cantrell. On February 12, agents from ARDEO, together with Gainesville Police Department K9 Units and the Hall County Sheriff's Office Warrant Units, arrested Corey Cantrell at his Gainesville residence.
The GBI press release states that the case was prosecuted by the Habersham County District Attorney's Office and the indictment was returned on April 10. The ARDEO is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies across 30 counties in Northern Georgia, including Sheriff's Offices, Police Agencies, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and the GBI itself.
The public is actively encouraged to come forward with any information related to drug activity. Tips can be submitted by calling GBI ARDEO at (706) 348-7410, or anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online, or using the See Something, Send Something mobile app. The GBI emphasizes the community's role in helping to effectively respond to and investigate drug-related cases. Such collaborations are crucial in the ongoing battle against the distribution and misuse of deadly substances like fentanyl.
