Prosecutor: Two Drug Dealers Charged in Death of Burlington County, NJ, Man

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina says two drug dealers have been charged with causing the death of a customer who fatally overdosed on fentanyl that was laced with an animal tranquilizer last September.

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39-year-old Rajik Morphis and 39-year-old Ozell Sutton, both of Wrightstown, were charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, third-degree distribution of CDS, and third-degree possession of CDS.

Authorities say on the morning of September 2, 2021, state troopers were called to an apartment on West Main Street in Wrightstown for a call to provide medical assistance. There, they found EMTs treating an unresponsive man who apparently overdosed.

The victim, 35-year-old Nicholas DiCola, was pronounced dead after first responders were not able to revive him.

The investigation revealed that DiCola fatally overdosed on drugs he purchased from Morphis and Sutton.

An autopsy determined DiCola died of fentanyl and xylazine toxicity.

Coffina's office says Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that is being seen more frequently as an additive in heroin and fentanyl sold on the streets.

Sutton was arrested at his home on May 17th and Morphis was taken into custody the next day.

Both are being held in the Burlington County Jail pending detention hearings in superior court.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.