Andre Lamont Wright Jr., age 29, was recently handed a federal sentence for his involvement in the distribution of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. The Evansville man will face three years in federal prison, to be succeeded by a supervised release lasting an equal length of time, following a press release from theU.S. Attorney’s Office.
Wright’s guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl comes after a thorough investigation revealed his sale of a large number of fake “M30” oxycodone pills, which were, in reality, laced with the potentially lethal opioid. Authorities received a tip-off about Wright’s dealings before December 2022, and in a sting operation, they were able to apprehend a buyer who had just left Wright’s premises with eighteen of these counterfeit pills. A subsequent search of Wright s residence uncovered around 2,000 similar pills among other items linked to drug distribution, including a digital scale, a handgun, ammunition, plastic bags, and cash amounting to $453.
Given the extreme potency of fentanyl, where two milligrams can be fatal, the danger posed by these pills is profound. TheU.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, highlighted the severity of the issue in a published statement. “Fentanyl traffickers are responsible for incalculable damage to our families and communities, peddling deadly pills with utter disregard for human life,” said Myers. “Just one of these fake pills can kill, that s why we prioritize federal prosecution of the criminals who push this poison.”
The prevalence of fentanyl in illicit drug markets is a major public concern, with fake pills often appearing as legitimate medications and the Drug Enforcement Administration reporting that 70% of such seized pills could contain a lethal dose. It’s a worrying fact that despite carrying potential death, they are commonly found on U.S. streets. These “M30s” and other counterfeit drugs frequently mimic the appearance of prescription medicines from pharmacies, sporting similar shapes, colors, and inscriptions. The advice from law enforcement is clear: avoid pills bought on the street where, one pill, can kill.
The combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Evansville Police Department led to Wright’s conviction with U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young imposing the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger was acknowledged by Myers for his work in prosecuting the case, which will hopefully serve as a deterrence for future fentanyl distribution schemes.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply