16 pounds of fentanyl seized in Haywood County traffic stop

HAYWOOD COUNTY, TENN. – A routine traffic stop of a tractor trailer early this morning led to the seizure of 16 pounds of fentanyl and a large bottle of liquid Xylazine.

During the early morning hours of April 21st, Agents with the West Tennessee Violent Crime And Drug Task Force (DTF) were patrolling I-40 in Haywood County when an agent observed a tractor trailer traveling east bound without due regard.

Agents conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and rapidly developed reasonable suspicion to deploy Canine Pongo. Canine Pongo alerted to the presence of a narcotic containing odor about the contents of the trailer and Agents conducted a probable cause search.

Canine Pongo is a one and a half year old, half German shepherd and half Belgian Malinois mix. He has been assigned to the Task Force just two weeks to the day when he made this seizure.

During the search, Agents located a secret compartment within the cargo that contained approximately 16 pounds of what field tested positive as fentanyl and a 50 milliliter bottle labeled as Mexican manufactured Xylazine.

Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a veterinarian horse tranquilizer commonly mixed in and sold with fentanyl as well as abused by itself. It is naloxone resistant and a common contributor to overdose deaths in Tennessee. The wholesale value of these drugs is approximately $80,000 while the street value soars to nearly $500,000.

Further investigation revealed that the cargo was being shipped to a location in Knoxville, Tennessee from Compton, California. The driver was identified on the scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Agents were able to rule out any complicity on their part.

“Fentanyl and Tranq are among the deadliest of poisons being trafficked today,” said D.A. Steve Mulroy, one of three board members overseeing the DTF. “Congrats to the DTF agents, especially our new recruit Pongo, who definitely deserves a treat.”

The case remains under investigation with Agents conducting forensic examinations on packaging and electronics recovered from the scene.

“I’d like to commend all involved Agents on a job well done in getting this fentanyl and Xylazine off the streets of Tennessee, making it a safer place to live, work and raise a family,” said DTF Director Johnie Carter. Furthermore, I would like to extend my kudos to Canine Pongo and his handler on making their first seizure as a team. I am proud of their teamwork and am looking forward to what’s to come.”

The West Tennessee Drug Task Force operates by agreement between the District Attorney’s General for the 28th, 29th and 30th Judicial Districts. All state charges will be prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney General for the 28th Judicial District, Frederick Agee.

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