Arizona trooper, canine find 51 pounds of fentanyl pills during traffic stop

More than 51 pounds of fentanyl pills were seized this month during a traffic stop as the driver was leaving the Phoenix area and apparently heading to Houston.

The traffic stop occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 14 when an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper stopped the driver of a Dodge Durango for a civil traffic violation, according to a DPS release.

During the stop, the trooper “observed several indicators of criminal activity, and a drug detection canine alerted to the vehicle,” the release stated.

A search was conducted, and about 51.4 pounds of fentanyl pills in a large tote bag were found inside the SUV.

Investigators said they believe the drugs were being transported from Phoenix to the Houston area.

The  SUV driver was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on charges, including possession and transportation of narcotic drugs for sale, according to DPS.

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