VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — Michigan State Police say a Tuesday traffic stop on I-94 disrupted the distribution of more than 3,000,000 fentanyl-laced pills valued at $9 million on the street.
Fifth District troopers assigned to the Homeland Security Team (HST) pulled over a car going eastbound on I-94 near mile marker 55 around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday.
Troopers said the car had a cracked windshield and the driver wasn't using the lanes correctly.
After talking with the 25-year-old California driver, troopers became suspicious. They asked the driver if they could take a look inside, and he reportedly gave verbal consent for them to do so.
What they found inside that vehicle was the largest seizure of fentanyl stemming from a traffic stop in state history.
Investigators said they found four kilos of fentanyl vacuum sealed inside a duffle bag. Detectives also found two additional kilos of suspected fentanyl at a second venue along with $30,000 in cash.
The California man was arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a man-made opioid. Just two milligrams, which can fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a deadly dose.
"One kilo can produce approximately 500,000 fentanyl pills with a street value of approximately $1.5 million. In total, this seizure will undoubtedly save lives, as it disrupted the distribution of around three-million fentanyl-laced pills with a total street value of $9 million," Michigan State Police said.
If you need help with addiction, you can visit Michigan National Rehab or call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Hotline at 1-888-733-7753.
Recovery assistance is also offered through MSP Angel Program at https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/grantscommunityservices/angel.
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