Suspected Fentanyl Dealer Found Passed Out In Her Car, Arrested

WESTMINSTER, CA — A Thursday evening tip led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer Friday morning in Midway City, Orange County Sheriff's Department said.

Authorities received a suspicious vehicle call in the 8600 block of Madison between Bolsa and Hazard Avenues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

When the deputies arrived to check out the scene, they found a woman passed out inside the vehicle and drugs and drug paraphernalia laying in plain sight, an OCSD spokesperson said. Upon further search, deputies found drugs, including fentanyl.

A search of the woman and the vehicle turned up three plastic baggies containing a white powder-like substance, a baggie with a white crystal-like substance, three used methamphetamine pipes, several empty baggies and an undetermined amount of cash, the department said.

The suspect was read her rights, and she admitted to the deputies that she was holding fentanyl, methamphetamine and drug pipes and admitted she was in the neighborhood to sell fentanyl, the OCSD said.

She was arrested on suspicion of various drug possession violations and an outstanding bench warrant and booked into the Orange County jail. The age and name of the suspect was not disclosed.

"The threat fentanyl poses to our community is increasing exponentially," Sheriff Don Barnes said. "Our Sacramento legislators can no longer ignore the direct and legitimate threat of this drug."

Barnes said drug dealers are taking advantage of gaps in the law regarding fentanyl.

"Until we categorically include enhancements for trafficking fentanyl and make its penalties similar to other illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, we are enticing and encouraging drug traffickers to increase the supply of fentanyl into California at the expense of children and families in our community," Barnes said.