Over 2,000 fentanyl pills seized, arrests made in North Texas drug trafficking operation

The Parker County Special Crimes Unit arrested two men in connection with a large-scale narcotics investigation that evolved into an operation involving several local and federal law enforcement agencies, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began with the arrest of a Parker County man on charges of trafficking fentanyl. This arrest led to the discovery of a larger fentanyl drug trafficking organization operating in the North Texas area, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Over several months, investigators collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations Gangs and Violent Crimes - Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

This joint effort resulted in numerous undercover purchases of fentanyl, culminating in the seizure of about 1,600 pills, or roughly 160 grams of fentanyl, the Sheriff’s Office said.

On June 24, a coordinated enforcement operation by the agencies led to the arrest of confirmed Crip gang members Derrion White, 21, and Cortez Sterling, 23, the release said. The two were charged with various federal violations related to the distribution of illegal drugs. During the operation, investigators seized an additional 78 grams of fentanyl, or about 780 pills.

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Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier emphasized the growing threat posed by fentanyl. “This is not a single-handed battle for smaller individual law enforcement agencies,” he said in the release. “These investigations need the collaboration of a multi-agency presence. We are grateful for our Special Crimes Unit’s training and experience and for the assistance of the agencies who continue to participate in joint operations in order to combat the fentanyl crisis in our area.”