Suspect Allegedly Connected With Robert De Niro's Grandson's Death In Custody

Law enforcement has reportedly caught up with an alleged drug dealer concerning the death of Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.

The 19-year-old, the son of the actor's eldest daughter, Drena De Niro, and artist Carlos Rodriguez, had died after he unknowingly obtained and injected fentanyl-laced pills. Although the cause of death has yet to be determined, the news of the teenager's passing was announced by his mother after he was found dead in a Financial District apartment in lower Manhattan on July 2.

An undercover sting operation, which was carried out by the New York Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security, has resulted in the arrest of a 20-year-old woman, Sofia Haley Marks, popularly known as the "Percocet Princess." According to TMZ's police sources, the suspect was placed in custody for allegedly selling the fentanyl-laced pills to Leandro on Thursday, July 13

Following her getting processed into the jail system, it was claimed that Marks would expectedly be arraigned in a Manhattan federal court on Friday morning after being federally charged with narcotics distribution.

As we recently learned, the police have been investigating Leandro's unfortunate passing as a possible overdose after discovering drug paraphernalia and a white powdery substance near his body.

The teen had been house-sitting in an iconic Manhattan apartment when the NYPD received an emergency call from 55 Wall Street around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, they found a male, who was later identified as Leandro, lying "unconscious and unresponsive" before emergency services pronounced him dead on the scene.

When Drena broke the news, she documented that somebody had sold her son "fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him so for all these people still f**king around selling and buying this sh*t, my son is gone forever."

The Blast shared that Robert, who adopted Drena during his first marriage to Diahnne Abbott, talked about his grief in a statement released days later. The "A Bronx Tale" star expressed:

"I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."

During his years here, Leandro had followed in the footsteps) () of his renowned grandfather, appearing in a handful of Hollywood projects, including the 2018 romance musical, "A Star is Born." He portrayed the role of a young boy named Leo Stone alongside Drena, who doubled as his on-screen mom, Paulette Stone.

In the same year, Leandro and Drena had also appeared together in the drama, "Cabaret Maxime," with the late actor owning a third role in the highly-reviewed 2005 film, "The Collection."

Despite being overwhelmed with the grief of losing her son, Drena took time to voice her gratitude for the immense and unexpected avalanche of support and love she received following her tragedy. As reported by The Blast, the "Jack of the Red Hearts" actress had issued a statement that read:

"It is with immeasurable shock and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief."

Before the appreciative message, the "Grace of My Heart" star had taken to Instagram to publicly mourn the loss of her baby boy. At the time, she posted an up-close picture of Leandro emphasizing his shoulder-length hair and near-perfect facial features. Beneath the image, the grieving mother began:

"My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy, my heart, and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you."

Drena then disclosed that she did not know how to live without Leandro, but she would "try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama." She closed the touching caption by declaring that the deceased actor was "so deeply loved and appreciated," adding:

"I wish that love alone could have saved you. I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise, my darling boy."