N.J. man who distributed fentanyl charged in overdose death, prosecutor says

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A Bergen County man was arrested and charged with the fentanyl drug overdose death of a Garfield man last year, authorities said Thursday.

Melvin E. Guzman, 29, of Garfield, is charged with first-degree strict liability in a drug-induced death and third-degree distribution of fentanyl, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

Two overdose victims were found by Garfield police on Sept. 17, 2023, in the 200 block of Lincoln Place, Musella said in a statement.

“Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, including the administration of Naloxone,” Musella said. The victims were taken to a local hospital, where one of the victims, a 30-year-old man, was pronounced dead.

Guzman was arrested Thursday in Garfield and taken to the Bergen County Jail ahead of a court hearing. Attorney information for Guzman was not listed in jail or court records.

Stories by Anthony G. Attrino

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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