07/07/2022
Date: July 6, 2022
Incident: Significant Drug Arrests
Authority: Sheriff Ryan F. Waldschmidt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRAFFIC STOP 1
On June 28, 2022, at 1:15am, K9 Handler/Deputy Vis conducted a traffic stop for speeding, 98mph in a 70mph zone, on I41 near CTH B. During the course of the traffic stop, Deputy Vis observed packaging that contained co***ne in plain view inside the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle fled the traffic stop on foot and resisted arrest, but was apprehended after a short foot chase and Taser deployment. The Milwaukee man was arrested for drug related charges and resisting arrest, and transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail. The total weight of co***ne confiscated was 59 grams.
TRAFFIC STOP 2
On June 29, 2022, at 8:49pm, K9 Handler/Sergeant Kohlmann conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation on I41 near Lincoln Rd. During the course of the traffic stop, a K9 sniff of the exterior of the vehicle was conducted and K9 Ace alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a bag of what appeared to be Oxycodone pills in a backpack inside the vehicle, however a field test of those pills tested positive for fentanyl. A total of 1,032 counterfeit pills, laced with fentanyl and carrying a street value of approximately $40 each, were seized. Also located during the search was 27 grams of ma*****na hidden in the trunk under the spare tire. Two Appleton men and one Racine man were arrested for drug related charges and transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail.
The DEA has released information that approximately 40% of the counterfeit pills they are now testing contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Users of these counterfeit pills, who believe they are consuming the medication Oxycodone, are overdosing on the unexpected dose of fentanyl in their system.
TRAFFIC STOP 3
On June 30, 2022, at 5:45pm, Deputy Birkholz conducted a traffic stop for multiple equipment and registration violations on I41 near Lost Arrow Rd. During the course of the traffic stop, K9 Handler/Sergeant Kohlman and K9 Ace conducted sniff of the exterior of the vehicle and K9 Ace alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a bag containing 37 grams of ma*****na hidden inside the trunk. The Milwaukee man driving the vehicle was arrested for both the drug violation and a probation violation, and transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail. Deputies also suspected he was concealing more illegal drugs on his person. A search of his clothing in the jail revealed a hidden pocket sewn into the crotch area of the suspect’s pants, and in the hidden pocket deputies found one bag of co***ne containing 20 individually wrapped baggies of co***ne, along with two other larger baggies of co***ne. The total weight of co***ne confiscated was 27 grams.
SUMMARY
Our deputies, K9s, and K9 handlers remain very busy detecting and seizing illegal drugs travelling through and to our community. These three traffic stops alone prevented significant quantities of ma*****na, co***ne, and counterfeit fentanyl laced pills from being distributed in our area, and were likely being transported here for distribution just prior to the holiday weekend. It’s highly likely that the seizure of the counterfeit pills saved lives, as the distribution of over 1,000 fentanyl laced pills would have undoubtedly resulted in numerous overdoses. Drug and addiction services are available from providers throughout Fond du Lac County and the Fox Valley, and we strongly encourage those struggling with addiction to seek out a service provider you are comfortable contacting for help. In Fond du Lac County, residents seeking help can call the Crisis Intervention Line at 920-929-3535 to speak to a service provider 24/7.
Sheriff Ryan F. Waldschmidt
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