Large shipment of meth & fentanyl, bound for Lexington from Detroit, is seized in Scott County

Lexington, KY — A significant drug bust in July led to the seizure of a large shipment of methamphetamine and fentanyl, believed to be headed to Lexington from Detroit, Michigan. The bust came ahead of another significant operation on August 29, where 15 firearms and a large amount of narcotics were seized in two separate DEA raids at Lexington residences.

The Bust

The case, filed on September 1, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, is titled USA v. Hanspard. The defendant, Brianna Shardai Mary Hanspard, 28, is charged with possession with intent to distribute (PWID) 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as conspiracy to PWID 500 grams or more of these substances. The criminal complaint was filed by Christine McHugh, a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), assigned to the Lexington Resident Office Enforcement Group.

The Incident

According to the criminal complaint, on July 10, 2023, at approximately 7:15 pm, members of the Kentucky State Police (KSP) East Interdiction Team observed a 2021 Jeep Compass with an Illinois tag exiting I-75 southbound at Sadieville in Scott County. The vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign, prompting KSP units to conduct a traffic stop at Love’s Travel Stop located at 313 Porter Road, Sadieville, Kentucky.

Hanspard was identified as the sole occupant and driver of the Jeep Compass. During the stop, she initially provided verbal consent for a search but withdrew it seconds later. A trained drug odor detection canine named "Johan" gave a positive alert at the rear of the Jeep, leading to a probable cause search.

Inventory of Seized Items

In the rear cargo area of the Jeep Compass, KSP Troopers located and seized a blue duffle bag containing suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, the complaint says. The substances were transferred to DEA investigators. The suspected methamphetamine weighed approximately 10.23 kilograms (22.5 pounds), and the suspected fentanyl weighed approximately 299.4 grams. Both substances have been submitted to the DEA Mid-Atlantic Forensic Laboratory for chemical analysis, and the results are pending.

Hanspard was subsequently interviewed by DEA personnel and admitted to transporting the drugs from Detroit, Michigan, to Lexington, Kentucky, in exchange for money. She remains in custody at the Scott County Detention Center based on these charges.

Ongoing Investigations

This bust is part of a broader effort to crack down on drug trafficking organizations. The complaint's filing follows a recent operation on August 29, where 15 firearms and a large amount of narcotics were seized in two separate DEA raids at Lexington residences, indicating a concerted effort to dismantle organizations believed to be bringing narcotics from Detroit.

Hanspard's case is pending, and no court date or lawyer have been assigned yet.

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