Atlanta felon charged with selling pills containing drug used to sedate animals
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of a five-time convicted felon in Atlanta for allegedly distributing carfentanil, fentanyl and methamphetamine.
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Rodericus San Juan Warner, 45, of Atlanta, was charged with distributing hundreds of carfentanil and fentanyl pills, as well as more than 100 grams of methamphetamine.
Carfentanil is a fentanyl analog that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and is used by veterinarians to tranquilize large animals such as elephants, according to officials.
“Carfentanil is a deadly synthetic narcotic; used to tranquilize elephants, not intended for human consumption. However, this criminal, with complete disregard for human life, chose to sell it along with fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the DEA Atlanta Division.
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During an investigation in October 2025, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents identified Warner as a drug trafficker in Atlanta. Agents allege Warner sold hundreds of pills containing carfentanil, fentanyl and more than 100 grams of methamphetamine.
On Nov. 6, DEA agents executed a search warrant and arrested Warner at the home he shared with his girlfriend and her three school-age children, authorities said.
The Justice Department said law enforcement officers found two loaded guns, $20,000 in cash and assorted high-end jewelry at that home.
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Warner, a five-time convicted felon, is not allowed to carry a gun. Additionally, agents found suspected fentanyl pills and suspected oxycodone pills in one of Warner’s vehicles outside the home, authorities said.
At another home where Warner allegedly sold drugs, DEA agents searched another vehicle registered to him and found four loaded guns, 6,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 258 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 201 grams of suspected cocaine, 60 suspected oxycodone pills and one kilogram of suspected marijuana, authorities said.
Warner appeared before a judge on a federal criminal complaint, was taken into custody, and was ordered detained pending the outcome of his case.
