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A woman has been arrested after the death of actor Robert De Niro's 19-year-old grandson, US law officials have confirmed.

Sofia Marks, 20, has been arrested with federal narcotics charges for allegedly selling the drugs that led to the death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez earlier this month.

According to the New York Post, the suspect was detained by officers on Thursday following an 'undercover sting operation' conducted by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security.

The teenager was found dead on July 2 in his Manhattan apartment, with the death being described as sudden and unexpected.

While it has not been confirmed yet by a toxicology report, Leandro's mom claimed her son took pills laced with fentanyl.

She wrote on Instagram: "Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him."

In a statement, Hollywood actor Robert De Niro shared that he has been left "deeply distressed" by the loss of his grandson.

He said: "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."

Drena De Niro, Leandro's mother, shared her own heartfelt tribute to her late son on Instagram.

She said: "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. You were so deeply loved and appreciated, and 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."

The 19-year-old was also paving an acting career for himself and had followed in his family's footsteps, starring in films such as A Star is Born in 2018.

He has also taken on roles in 2005's The Collection and 2018's Cabaret Maxime.

His mother Drena was adopted by Robert and decided to take his surname after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.

She then went on to make Robert a grandfather in 2003 when she welcomed Leandro with her then-boyfriend Carlos Rodriguez.

Leandro's father also paid tribute to his late son on Instagram by posting a blacked-out picture.

However, he is yet to make any public statements about his son's tragic passing.

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