Two men have been arrested for allegedly selling the drugs that led to the overdose death of 19-year-old TikTok star Cooper Noriega, according to a report.
Noriega’s body was found in June 2022 in a parking lot of a Los Angeles-area mall, with his death determined to be from the effects of fentanyl, alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, and lorazepam, a sedative.
Authorities also noted “recent clonazepam (Klonopin) use” as another “significant” condition.
Erik Oved Estrada, a Calabasas, California, man accused of running a drug-trafficking operation out of his home that provides cocaine and fentanyl-laced pills, has been slapped with federal drug charges, TMZ reported.
He allegedly sold the fentanyl-laced pills to Arian Alani, who in turn was accused of selling them to Noriega, according to the outlet.
Prosecutors claim Alani texted Estrada that “my boy just died yesterday” in reference to “C.N.” — which Noriega’s father confirmed was Copper — and that Estrada “shouldn’t be selling (expletive) with fentanyl,” TMZ reported.
Estrada and Alani are both charged with one count each of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, among other charges, according to the report.
“Our family is very happy that those who are responsible for our beautiful boy’s death will be held accountable,” Noriega’s dad, Harold, said in a statement.
The social media star, who boasted 1.7 million followers on the video-sharing app, had been candid with his followers about his history of drug abuse, which began when he was only 9 years old.
“I mean, we’re talking Xanax, Aderall, marijuana, nicotine,” Noriego told podcast host Dave Portnoy, who replied, “Nine [years old], that’s crazy. I didn’t even know I was playing G.I. Joe when I was 9.”
He died hours after posting a chilling video about dying “young af.”
Noriega also confirmed he had recently broken up with fellow TikToker Sabrina Quesada, whom he dated for about two years.
His mom, Treva Noriega, expressed her hope that her late son was “finally experiencing the most pure joy and happiness.”
“I’ll see you one day my baby boy… your momma,” she wrote.