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Jonathan Perez Arrested In Eagle County After Traffic Stop Yields Suspected Fentanyl Pills

EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A traffic stop in Eagle County led police to an estimated 3.5 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills. Deputies with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office and detectives with the Vail Police Department pulled over the driver for speeding on Thursday near Vail.

fentanyl traffic stop (eagle co sheriff's office)
(credit: Eagle County Sheriff's Office)

Investigators say the driver gave consent for police to search the vehicle. Inside, deputies found several bags of suspected fentanyl pills under the spare tire in the trunk.

The driver, Jonathan Perez, 37, of California, was arrested and charged with felony possession and distribution of fentanyl.

Fentanyl Arrest Jonathan Perez (eagle co sheriff's office)
Jonathan Perez (credit: Eagle County Sheriff's Office)

The officers who conducted the traffic stop are assigned to the Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team, a multi-jurisdictional drug task force.

Investigators say fentanyl is highly addictive and often added to heroin to increase return sales. The synthetic opioid is considered 80-100 times stronger than morphine.

fentanyl traffic stop (eagle co sheriff's office)2
(credit: Eagle County Sheriff's Office)

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Eagle County Sheriff's Office at (970) 328-8500. You can also remain anonymous by calling Eagle County Crime Stoppers at 970-328-7007.

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