The sudden death of former teen star Corey Haim was linked to a prescription drug ring, authorities said on Friday.

"Corey Haim's death is yet another tragedy linked to the growing problem of prescription-drug abuse," California state Attorney General Jerry Brown said in a statement, adding that his office has opened a probe into the prescription-drug ring involved.

"This problem is increasingly linked to criminal organizations, like the illegal and massive prescription-drug ring under investigation. It's a serious public health problem," he said.

Brown has conducted investigations of drug-related deaths of more than 200 people, including many Hollywood celebrities. Recently, he took part in the investigation of pop star Michael Jackson's death.

The 38-year-old Haim, who died suddenly Wednesday morning, reportedly had prescriptions for Vicodin, Valium, haloperidol and a muscle relaxant in an apartment he shared with his mother.

Police have retrieved four bottles containing the medications and bearing Haim's name.

An autopsy was carried out on Thursday, but the coroner's office has declined to state a cause of death pending the results of toxicology tests, which could last two months.

Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1971, Haim made his first film "Firstborn" in 1984. Two year later, he shot to fame with his appearance in the popular movie "Lucas."

However, he had been struggling with drugs for years.