No arrests have been made after authorities in central Mississippi seized methamphetamine and lethal amounts of fentanyl.
According to a press release, a Rankin County sheriff’s deputy stopped a commercial vehicle that was allegedly failing to remain in a single lane on Interstate 20 Thursday night. The automobile was hauling a tractor-trailer loaded with multiple vehicles.
During the traffic stop, the deputy suspected possible criminal activity. The unidentified driver consented to a search by law enforcement. When looking through the vehicles located on the trailer, the deputy spotted apparent anomalies in a silver BMW.
The tractor-trailer was escorted to a nearby sheriff’s department facility where further examination led to the discovery of approximately 42.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 20 pounds of fentanyl within the BMW.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. 20 pounds of fentanyl consists of around 9 million milligrams.
Once investigators wrapped up their assessment, they concluded that the driver and the unnamed trucking company had no prior awareness that illegal drugs were inside the car. The driver was released and has not been charged with any crime at this time.
Police are continuing to investigate the origins of the illicit substances.
