Routine traffic stop turns up fentanyl, other illegal drugs in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT LP) — The Huntsville Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team seized a quantity fentanyl and other illegal drugs after a routine traffic stop turned into a full-scale narcotics investigation on Monday, April 21.

On Monday, April 21, officers pulled a vehicle over for traffic violations near Hilltop Terrace and Summerhill Drive around 6 p.m.

Police said that before the vehicle pulled over, the driver, identified as 31-year-old Tavias Lavon Drake, was seen throwing several bags from his vehicle.

Officers recovered the bags which contained multiple illegal substances, including a substance that tested positive for fentanyl.

Within four hours, the traffic stop led to a follow-up narcotics investigation.

During the narcotics investigation, officers searched a home connected to the case in which authorities found additional quantities of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.

The following items were recovered by the Huntsville Police Department:

• Just over four ounces of fentanyl
• 19.5 counterfeit fentanyl pills
• Multiple other illegal narcotics

Drake was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana-1st.

He was booked into the Madison County Jail with a $1.5 million bond for the trafficking charge and $10,000 for each of the additional charges.

“We would like to thank our Anti-Crime Team for their quick thinking, teamwork and dedication to keeping our community safe,” said the Huntsville Police Department.

The incident remains under investigation by HPD, with more arrests expected to come.