2,000 fake fentanyl pills lands Evansville man in federal prison

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – An Evansville man will spend the next three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, prior to December 2022, law enforcement officers received information that Andre Lamont Wright Jr., 29, was selling large quantities of fentanyl-laced counterfeit “M30” oxycodone pills.

Criminal charges dropped against Evansville man

Officials state on December 7, 2022, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Evansville Police Department saw Wright conduct a drug deal outside of his Evansville home.

Police pulled over the alleged buyer for a traffic violation and recovered about 18 counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills.

Officials say officers conducted a court-authorized search of Wright’s home and found about 2,000 more counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, a digital scale, a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, ammunition, plastic bags and $453 in cash.

“Fentanyl traffickers are responsible for incalculable damage to our families and communities, peddling deadly pills with utter disregard for human life,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Just one of these fake pills can kill, that’s why we prioritize federal prosecution of the criminals who push this poison. Together with the Evansville Police Department and the DEA, our federal prosecutors will continue working to remove fentanyl and fentanyl dealers from our neighborhoods.”

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