GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WWJ) -- In West Michigan, Grand Rapids Police have announced the largest fentanyl bust ever by the GRPD Vice Unit.
Police said about 500 grams of fentanyl was confiscated Monday, at a home on Wimbledon Drive SW in Grandville, along with almost 250 grams of heroin.
According to officials, that's enough fentanyl to kill a couple of hundred thousand people.
“500 grams of fentanyl is a substantial amount, and the potential harm it could have caused is immense,” said Deputy Chief Michael Maycroft, in a news release. “For context, a lethal dose of fentanyl can be as small as 2 milligrams. With 500 grams, or half a kilo, this seizure represents approximately 250,000 lethal doses that were prevented from reaching our streets. Enough to kill every resident of the City of Grand Rapids and Grandville.”
Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Winstrom said this bust resulted from a months-long drug trafficking investigation, after they had multiple overdoses in Heartside Park last year.
In connection with this bust, 53-year-old Darryl Mitchell has been arrested and charged with possession and intent to deliver fentanyl. He's currently lodged in the Kent County Jail.
“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous substance,” Maycroft said. “Its presence in our community poses an urgent threat, as it can be mixed with other drugs, unknowingly ingested, and result in devastating overdoses. This operation underscores our ongoing commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of our community.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police said there may yet been more arrests and/or drug seizures in this case.
“Thanks to the excellent work of our Vice detectives, these drugs are off our streets,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “We will continue to use all available resources to track and dismantle illegal drug trafficking networks in our area.”