LIVONIA (WWJ) — The owner of a Detroit gas station and car wash is facing federal drug charges after Livonia police made what they say is the largest seizure of fentanyl ever in the state of Michigan.
A day after a 12-page criminal complaint was filed in federal court, Livonia police on Tuesday unveiled details of the months-long investigation that led to the arrest of Barry Willis of Clinton Township.
More than 41 kilograms — roughly 90 lbs. — of fentanyl in powder and pill form were seized last week when authorities raided Willis's home, stash house and business, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, guns and about $150,000 in cash.
Authorities say the case started after police made a traffic stop last September in Livonia of a person who was in possession of narcotics. With that person working as an informant, police worked the investigation "up the chain" for about six months, ultimately leading to the arrest of Willis, who the informant knew as "Blue."
With the drugs and money on display Tuesday at a press conference, Livonia Police Cpt. Greg Yon estimated if all the fentanyl had been turned into pills, there would have been over 160,000 pills that would have hit the streets.
Yon estimated the street value of those drugs to be about $4.5 million.


In February and March the informant conducted multiple controlled drug purchases from Willis using pre-recorded police buy funds. The drugs he bought tested positive for heroin both times, according to the criminal complaint.
Willis, who owns a Citgo gas station and car wash on Livernois near Oakman in Detroit, was arrested at his home last Thursday. During the raid at his home in Clinton Township, investigators seized $133,242 of suspected narcotics proceeds, ten watches, one gold chain with a platinum pendant, and one handgun.
Authorities also raided his gas station and suspected "stash house," where they found the drugs, as well as more cash and guns. A second person was arrested at the stash house in connection with the case.
Willis is scheduled for a detention hearing in federal court on Thursday.





