Derby police say they seized $1.5 million of drugs during a motor vehicle stop Wednesday.
In a prepared statement, Derby Police Lt. Justin Stanko said that about 10:52 a.m., Derby police stopped a tractor trailer heading west on Route 34.
“A subsequent investigation by Derby police led to the discovery of approximately fifty-five (55) pounds of Fentanyl in the cab,” Stanko said. “This has an estimated street value of approximately 1.5 million dollars.”
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid often mixed with or substituted for heroin. Its possession and use are governed strictly by the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The drug is frequently blamed for overdoses, as was the case with at least one fatal overdose in Derby this year.
Stanko said the truck’s driver was identified as a 47-year-old man who was detained and turned over to agents from the New Haven office of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
A spokesman for federal prosecutors said in an email about 7 p.m. that the man, Erick Escalante, was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Escalante appeared before a federal magistrate judge Wednesday afternoon and was ordered detained, the spokesman, Thomas Carson, said. The complaint charging Escalante was sealed as of Wednesday.
