Three arrested following execution of narcotics search warrant

Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. said three Vian residents have been arrested following a lengthly investigation and the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a local storage facility building.

Stephanie Rodgers, 43, is charged with trafficking controlled dangerous substance (meth), possession of controlled dangerous substance (heroin), possession of controlled dangerous substance with intent (for suspected fentanyl), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeffrey Fugate, 50, and Shane Morrow, 40, have each been charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance (meth) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Lane said on Sept. 13 deputies and investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at a local storage facility building.

“This search warrant was a result of a lengthy and still ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine in and around Sequoyah County. It is common for drug dealers to sell and use their products in remote, clandestine locations instead of doing it in their own homes. I suppose they think this would keep us from raiding them, but obviously they were wrong,” Lane said.

During the search, Lane said officers found numerous baggies containing a white crystalline substance with a total weight of over 87 grams, around 50 blue pills that were marked M-30 (suspected fentanyl) and baggies containing a brown powder substance that tested positive for heroin, as well as baggies containing marijuana.

Also found in the storage building were other items commonly used in the use and distribution of illegal narcotics including glass smoking devices, syringes and multiple small plastic baggies.

“I‚m thankful that the owner of the storage facility is a very good guy and an outstanding member of our community, I have had several conversations with him about the frequent heavy traffic at that particular storage building and he fully supports us getting these drug dealers off the streets,” Lane said.

Lane further stated there‚s a terrible and rapidly growing fentanyl problem, and it‚s not just Sequoyah County or the state of Oklahoma, it‚s the entire United States.

“I went to Washington D.C. last week to attend a border crisis meeting with Sheriffs from all over the country,” he said. “We were also able to attend and speak at a rally held by parents of fentanyl related death victims. It was amazing to see so many grieving parents, from all over the country, they all had similar stories of their children‚s unfortunate deaths. Over the last couple of years fentanyl and heroin have steadily gotten worse. This is mostly due to our open borders and the government‚s lack of support for law enforcement at the southern border. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death in America to people between 18 and 45-years-old.”

The Sheriff said he would like to thank Deputy Brian Stone, Deputy Jeremy Day and Investigator Chris Grizzle for their hard work.

“They truly have a heart to serve our community, I‚m proud to have them on our team,” Lane ended.