Suspected overdose death in Blissfield leads to search warrant, arrest in Adrian
ADRIAN and BLISSFIELD — A 43-year-old man was arrested Nov. 7, as part of several arrests and investigations being handled by the Region of Irish Hills Narcotics Office.
The arrest of Eric Lee Cooper came during the execution of a search warrant by RIHNO in the 1100 block of South Main Street in Adrian’s Friendly Village Mobile Home Park. Cooper’s arrest was in support of an overdose death being investigated by the Blissfield Police Department, RIHNO communicated in an “activity report” released Tuesday.
During the search, RIHNO located and seized eight firearms and more than 800 grams of heroin along with several other suspected narcotics, officials said.
“It should be noted that Cooper was arrested for the possession with intent to deliver and felony firearm charges,” RIHNO said.
The investigation into the overdose death, which Blissfield Police responded to on Nov. 7, is ongoing and will be investigated separately.
“Cooper should be assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” said RIHNO, which was assisted by the Blissfield Police Department and the Michigan State Police K9 Unit.
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Blissfield Police on Nov. 7 responded to a report of a person found unconscious. That person was identified by law enforcement officials as Paul Jones, 34, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to Blissfield Police Chief Dale Greenleaf, the investigation with RIHNO resulted in “one arrest and the seizure of numerous handguns, rifles and cash.”
“Suspected heroin, cocaine and fentanyl were also seized with an estimated street value of $100,000,” Greenleaf said in a communication from the police department.
Heroin/fentanyl carries an illegal street market value of around $100 per gram, RIHNO said. Cocaine’s illegal market value ranges from $70 to $110 per gram and methamphetamine’s is $10 to $20 per gram.
“These values can vary depending on factors like supply availability, geographic location and bulk purchase rates,” RIHNO explained. “For example, while the street value of 1,000 grams of heroin may be around $100,000, a trafficker might acquire the same amount at a bulk price of $70,000 (about $70 per gram).”
A ruling on the cause and manner of Jones’ death is pending a complete autopsy and toxicology screening by the Lenawee County Medical Examiner, Greenleaf said.
“The deceased was found in Blissfield. There probably won’t be any updates for a while as this is an ongoing investigation,” Greenleaf added in an email.
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Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact any of the following agencies if they have not done so already. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish to do so.
Blissfield Police Department: 517-486-4347.
RIHNO Task Force: 517-265-5787.
Crime Stoppers of Lenawee County: 517-266-6161 or 877-276-8477.
Jones, according to his obituary, previously was employed at the Hathaway House and Beckey’s Kountry Kitchen in Blissfield as a cook, Uckele Health and Nutrition, and most recently worked at the Tile Shop in Ottawa Lake. He was described as an avid fan of all the Detroit sports teams and especially enjoyed being outdoors and recently took up kayaking.
A memorial gathering will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, 301 S. Lane St. Sharing of memories will begin at 4 p.m. in the funeral home.
Cooper is scheduled to appear before Lenawee County District Judge Laura J. Schaedler at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 for a probable cause conference. He will step before Schaedler a second time at 9 a.m. Nov. 26 for a preliminary examination, according to online court records.
Bond, as of Nov. 10, has been set at $230,000.
Cooper is facing a total of 14 felony charges including eight weapons, felony firearms charges; controlled substance, maintaining a drug house; weapons, body armor, possession/use by violent felon; weapons, firearms, ammunition, possession prohibited; weapons, firearms, possession by prohibited person; controlled substance delivery/manufacture (narc/cocaine) less than 50 grams; and controlled substance delivery/manufacture (narc/cocaine) 225 to 649 grams.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Suspected overdose death in Blissfield leads to arrest in Adrian
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