Tennessee truck driver delivering produce to schools found with fentanyl, loaded gun

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A delivery driver dropping off produce to a Middle Tennessee school was found with fentanyl and marijuana in the truck, according to police. A School Resource Officer (SRO) working at Sewanee Elementary School in Franklin County smelled marijuana coming from the delivery truck as it drove passed him and after speaking with driver Christopher James Duncan, …

Tennessee Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Tennessee man was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for the distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Mario Lavonta Ward, 47, of Memphis, admitted that he sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $200 …

Cincinnati man sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling fentanyl to a teen

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A Cincinnati man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison Wednesday for selling fentanyl to a high school student that had a near-fatal overdose, according to a U.S. District Court. Marcus Phoenix, 33, sold narcotics to a teenager back in March 2019, U.S. Southern District of Ohio Attorney Kenneth Parker said. According to court documents, the …

Sheriff, DA say fight against fentanyl an uphill battle, gangs play major role

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Perhaps the most alarming thing when an assistant prosecutor with the Second Judicial District told his boss three people in Kingsport had died of drug overdoses in one night was this: District Attorney Barry Staubus wasn’t even that alarmed. The longtime prosecutor’s lack of surprise is down to one thing: fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 100 …

Detroit man charged in overdose deaths investigation in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (CBS DETROIT) – Knoxville police arrested a Detroit man in connection with the overdose deaths of three people. Police arrest Donjae Bell, 29, after authorities conducted a search warrant at 1900 Dutch Valley Drive No. 23 in Knoxville as part of an investigation.  Authorities located both powder and pills suspected of being heroin or fentanyl, items for manufacturing, packaging, …

Bags of fentanyl-laced crystal meth seized in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Narcotics detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation made a pair of arrests this weekend during an exchange of dangerous drugs in Nashville. According to police, 54-year-old Raymondo Contrenas from Cailfornia and 46-year-old Zujey Serna-Mendoza were arrested with a large box containing vacuum-sealed bags of crystal methamphetamine that tested positive …

Fentanyl test strips could make a difference in the fight against overdose deaths

A pilot program in Tennessee showed 81% of people who used the test strips changed their behavior. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — East Tennessee will soon have another tool to combat the overdose crisis. Metro Drug Coalition said it’s expecting to receive its first shipment of fentanyl test strips in the next month or two. “We’ve got to help them however we can,” said …

Tennessee firefighters exposed to fentanyl; Corinth paramedics provided emergency aid

JACKSON, Tenn. (WTVA) – For two Tennessee firefighters, paramedics from Corinth were in the right place at the right time on Sept. 2. They saved the lives of two Jackson firefighters who needed emergency help after being exposed to fentanyl. WTVA reporter Bronson Woodruff spoke with the paramedics and other officials about the scary situation. Watch the full story on …