Nebraska police say that they made one of the largest fentanyl drug busts in the United States. They arrested only one person on related drug charges. Although the discovery of the drugs and subsequent arrest were made in Nebraska, police believe that the accused individual was transporting the drugs elsewhere.
The 27-year-old man was stopped when authorities became suspicious of a bag he was carrying with him while traveling on a train. It is unclear if police had a warrant or believed that they had a reasonable suspicion to search his belongings. They allegedly found 33 pounds of the opioid drug fentanyl. Authorities believe the drugs originated in another state, and that he was only passing through Nebraska to deliver the drugs somewhere else.
He was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute, a serious matter. Fentanyl is considered an especially dangerous street drug and is not a drug taken on its own. Instead, authorities typically find it mixed with other street drugs, such as heroin. Because of how dangerous fentanyl can be, authorities also expressed concern about what might have happened if the train had crashed.
Nebraska state law takes criminal matters involving illegal drugs seriously. Many drug charges have serious potential consequences, including jail time and steep fines. A charge for possession with the intent to distribute could fetch a sentence as long as 20 years if convicted. It is important to begin defense preparations for serious matters as quickly as possible. By doing so, those accused of committing a crime can create a solid defense foundation focused on achieving the best possible outcome.
Source: 3newsnow.com, “Nebraska State Patrol makes largest fentanyl bust in state history”, Jake Wasikowski, Oct. 12, 2017