A South Bend woman was arrested on Friday, May 2, after a fugitive investigation led by the St. Joseph County Warrants Division, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service, in the 1500 block of Marietta Street.
Authorities located 35-year-old Ashley Ann Wardlow, who was wanted for possession of methamphetamine and a narcotic drug. During her arrest, officers discovered over a pound of a dangerous substance containing a mixture of suspected cocaine and Xylazine, a powerful sedative often mixed with opioids. This marks the first time local law enforcement has encountered such a large quantity of this deadly combination in the area.
Xylazine, unlike opioids, does not respond to Naloxone (NARCAN), the medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses. The presence of Xylazine in the community is concerning, as it poses a unique and significant threat to public safety.
The St. Joseph County Police Department is urging residents to stay alert and aware of the risks associated with these dangerous substances. Authorities are also calling on the community to report any suspicious activity.
Wardlow has been booked into the St. Joseph County Jail and faces additional charges, including possession of a narcotic drug and possession of cocaine. Formal charges have been filed.
