FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A man from Oakland has been arrested after officers seized over $220,000 worth of fentanyl in Fresno County, the California Highway Patrol said.
CHP says a Central Division sergeant conducted an enforcement stop on an Audi Q7 on northbound Interstate 5 and Russell Avenue in Fresno County on Sept. 18.
During the contact, officers say the sergeant determined the driver was unlicensed, and noted several indicators that the driver may be involved in criminal activity. After being granted consent to search the vehicle by the driver, the sergeant located around 5 pounds of fentanyl powder, sealed within a paper bag located on the right rear seat.
“Thank you to our officers for their dedication and commitment as this seizure prevented a
potentially deadly substance from reaching our communities,” CHP Central Division Chief
Damon Gilmore said.
According to CHP, the 5 pounds of fentanyl had an estimated street value of approximately $227,000. As a result, Anthony Cruz, 24, of Oakland, was arrested and transported to the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of possession of fentanyl for sale and transportation of fentanyl across non-contiguous counties.