Enough fentanyl to kill 18,500 found in Oakland County drug ring; five arrested and bonded out

PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) - Five people were arrested in a large drug trafficking ring in Oakland County where the sheriff said enough fentanyl to kill 18,500 people was recovered.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced the break up of the drug trafficking ring Thursday as a result of a five month investigation.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office started investigating back in October 2018 and it was learned, according to the sheriff, there was a large drug trafficking organization where large quantities of heroin and cocaine were being moved.

Once officials were able to obtain search warrants, they were executed in Pontiac, Southfield, and Eastpointe. In those searches, the sheriff said officers seized 1.5 kilos of cocaine, 1,022 grams of heroin and fentanyl mix - 37 grams which was pure fentanyl, 600 grams of cutting agents, 20 pounds of marijuana, digital scales, grinders, packaging material, a .40 caliber handgun, and $67,000 in US currency. 

Bouchard said in a press conference Thursday the fentanyl was estimated to have been enough to "kill 18,500 people".

The total street value of all of the drugs seized was more than $500,000. 

"Dismantling this organized DTO (drug trafficking organization) took dangerous criminals and drugs off the streets where we live and work. We will remain dedicated to investigating and prosecuting these death dealers to the fullest extent of the law. At a time when opioid overdoses are among the leading cause of death in America, we will be relentless in our efforts to arrest those profiting from the pain and death of others," Bouchard said.

The five arrested were named as George Booth, 40, of Pontiac; Kejuanta Pickett, 33, of Pontiac; Clide Maths, 44, of Novi; Eric Mills, 44, of Eastpointe; and Rashad Alston, 34, of Pontiac. 

Booth was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit - delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin, or another narcotic) 1,000 grams and one count of delivery/manufacture 1000 grams. All three charges are possible life sentences.

Pickett was charged with delivery/manufacture less than 50 grams. That's a possible 20 year sentence.

Mathis and Mills were both charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit - delivery/manufacture 1,000 grams, one count of delivery/manufacture 1000 grams, two counts of delivery/manufacture 450 to 999 grams, and one count of maintaining a drug house. That's three possible life sentences, a 30 year sentence, and a 2-year misdemeanor.

Alston was charged with two counts of delivery/manufacture 50 to 449  grams. That could be a 20 year sentence.

All five suspects were arraigned between March 15th and March 20th. 

All five have bonded out of the Oakland County Jail.