Lowndes County probe yields federal indictments in fentanyl distribution
The Lowndes County Narcotics Unit, known as STING, said it has seized thousands of pills containing fentanyl and other chemical compounds and quantities of fentanyl powder as part of an investigation into drug distribution in Columbus and Lowndes County.
Laboratory analysis conducted by the STING Unit found some pills contained combinations of fentanyl and xylazine, commonly called “tranq,” and other pills contained fentanyl mixed with BTMPS, an industrial chemical used as a UV light stabilizer in plastics, the unit said. The release said those combinations increase the risk of overdose and death.
The STING Unit said it has shared information with Drug Enforcement Administration offices and learned of fentanyl mixed with “cychorphine” seized in pill form in several western states, though no local laboratory results have identified that combination in Columbus or Lowndes County.
The unit said it used partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, including DEA resident offices in Oxford, Birmingham and Baton Rouge, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Starkville and Tupelo district offices, the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit and the FBI, to expand the investigation and coordinate prosecutions.
Federal indictments and arrests announced by the STING Unit named Joshua Wilson, 35, also known as “Street,” indicted on six counts of sale of fentanyl; Victor Shanklin, 34, indicted on two counts; Jachai Burton, 27, indicted on two counts; and Jaylon Shelton, 25, indicted on two counts. The arrests are part of the DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative and represent the first arrests in Operation: Roadrunner, the release said.
The STING Unit said it remains committed to targeting illicit narcotics distribution in Lowndes County and will continue working with partners to protect residents. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
