(MENAFN) Michigan state troopers made a record-breaking seizure of fentanyl during a routine traffic stop on I-94 near Paw Paw Township. This is the largest seizure of fentanyl in the state's history, according to law enforcement officials. The seizure amounted to four kilograms of the potentially lethal synthetic opioid, which was found in a duffel bag in the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, a 25-year-old California man, was stopped for traffic violations, including improper lane use and a cracked windshield. During their interaction with the driver, the troopers noticed "several indicators of criminal activity." After receiving consent to search the vehicle, they discovered the bag of fentanyl.
Based on the discovery of the fentanyl, the troopers obtained additional information that led them to a second location where they found two more kilograms of "suspected fentanyl" and USD30,000 in cash.
According to the Michigan State Police, evidence suggests that the driver was "transporting or smuggling fentanyl from California to Michigan." He has been charged with possession with intent to deliver more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl.
The significance of this seizure cannot be overstated given the devastating impact that fentanyl has had on Michigan communities. In 2020, Michigan recorded a total of 2,599 opioid-related deaths, with synthetic drugs such as fentanyl accounting for the majority of those deaths. The seizure of this large quantity of fentanyl will likely save countless lives by preventing it from being distributed on the streets.
The successful traffic stop and seizure are a testament to the hard work and dedication of Michigan law enforcement officials, who are committed to protecting the state's residents from the dangers of opioid addiction. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and authorities may release further information in the future.
MENAFN12032023000045014228ID1105756296
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.