In the largest seizure of fentanyl-laced tablets in Hardin County history, Sheriff Mark Davis reported more than 10,000 tablets were confiscated in a drug raid and the arrest of four men on March 17.
According to Davis, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Silsbee Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant, issued by Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Chris Ingram, in the 600 block of South 14th Street in Silsbee.
Discovered inside the residence were thousands of pressed tablets, methamphetamine, marijuana, promethazine syrup and four handguns.
“This is the largest seizure of fentanyl in Hardin County history and it shows the lengths these drug dealers will go to entice youth and young adults to purchase these tablets,” stated Davis. “They appear very colorful and are meant to mimic a popular candy in a rainbow assortment of colors.”
Arrested were Travorris Omontre-De’Lano White, 20; Tyrese Jaquesz Harmon, 22; Theodore Lee Follie IV, 20, and Jorden Tyvone Edwards, 22, all of Silsbee.
White and Harmon were each charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, Penalty Group (PG) 1, 200-400 grams (Fentanyl); manufacture of a controlled substance, PG 2, 4-400 grams (Ecstasy), both first-degree felonies and possession of marijuana, less than 2 ounces, a Class B misdemeanor.
White was also charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, PG 1, 4-200 grams (meth), a first-degree felony; and possession of a controlled substance, PG 2A, less than 2 ounces (synthetic marijuana), a Class B misdemeanor; White’s total bond was $2,010,000 and Harmon’s was set at $1,505,000.
Follie was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, PG 1, more than 400 grams (fentanyl); manufacture of a controlled substance, PG 2, more than 400 grams (Ecstasy), both first-degree felonies; and tamper with evidence, a third-degree felony. His total bond was $1,515,000.
Edwards was charged with possession of dangerous drug, Class A misdemeanor. He is currently out on a $5,000 bond.
“They have no regard for human life,” Davis said. “We don’t care, just come by and get high. We don’t care if you die or whatever. “There’s no remorse. The only thing they’re mad at is they got caught.”
The 10,000 tablets contained Ecstasy, which is street slang for a prohibited substance known as 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, which is illegal.
Davis said the tablets, of different shapes and sizes and were present in a rainbow of colors, were laced with fentanyl — a highly potent synthetic opioid which is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
He said fentanyl is extremely dangerous and has resulted in numerous overdoses throughout the nation.
“The drug itself is easily absorbed upon touch and has resulted in numerous law enforcement personnel being overcome from exposure,” said Davis.
Also, officers seized a quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana and promethazine syrup, which is a sedative in liquid form that is a controlled substance. Law enforcement believe the residence was being used to distribute these illegal substances to buyers from throughout southeast Texas. The Fentanyl-laced tablets have a street value of $5-$15 each.
The sheriff added investigators are working in partnership with District Attorney Rebecca Walton and the large-scale seizure is on-going investigation as authorities seek to identify other participants and suspects.
Warnings of dangerous drug combination
The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a health advisory notifying health care providers of reports that an animal tranquilizer called xylazine has been found mixed with illegal drugs distributed in Texas. Law enforcement has identified xylazine in the illegal fentanyl supply in West Texas, and it has been combined with other opioids, benzodiazepines like Xanax, and recreational drugs, leading to at least four reported xylazine-related deaths.
Xylazine produces a strong sedative effect and can prolong the high of opioids and other drugs. It can cause unconsciousness, low blood pressure, a slowed heart rate and breathing, and may cause organ damage due to a loss of blood flow. Chronic use can cause necrotic skin ulcers, severe sores that can kill skin tissue and lead to infection. Law enforcement reports drug combinations with xylazine may be sold on the street under names like “Tranq,” “sleep cut,” or “Philly drug” or may be sold without the end user’s knowledge.
Because xylazine is not an opioid, its effects cannot be reversed with the use of naloxone (Narcan). However, because of the prevalence of fentanyl and other opioids, DSHS recommends clinicians continue to treat suspected drug overdoses with naloxone. If the patient does not respond, they should consider xylazine exposure and provide supportive care. Health care providers should also consider chronic xylazine exposure as a possible diagnosis for patients with severe and unexplained necrotic skin ulcers.