NEWARK, N.J. — A Somerset County man has been indicted for distributing fentanyl and heroin that led to the death of a victim in Plainfield, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Thomas Kane Miller, 40, of Somerset, was charged with four drug-related offenses, including distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and a fentanyl precursor. His arraignment was held Monday before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton.
The indictment marks the first case brought under the District of New Jersey’s new Fentanyl Precursor Interception Strike Force, which targets the chemical components used in illicit fentanyl production.
“In October 2022, Miller distributed a mixture of fentanyl and heroin to an individual who died as a result of using the substance,” prosecutors stated. Two wax folds containing the narcotics and bearing a unique stamp were recovered at the scene and linked to Miller. The victim had been in contact with Miller shortly before the overdose.
Authorities said that days before the victim’s death, Miller was found with several wax folds marked with the same unique stamp. He also allegedly distributed fentanyl and heroin on two additional occasions in December 2022 and January 2023 in Middlesex and Somerset counties.
If convicted of distribution resulting in death, Miller faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life, along with a $1 million fine. The other counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years each.
The case was investigated by a coalition of agencies including the New York DEA Strike Force, Homeland Security Investigations New York, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
A fatal overdose traced to uniquely stamped drug bags led to the first indictment under New Jersey’s new fentanyl strike force.