Erratic driver report yields fentanyl seizure, arrest

KELLOGG — Local law enforcement had yet another run in with fentanyl over the weekend when deputies arrested a Spokane Valley man who was found to be in possession 21 "mexi-blue" pills.

Shoshone County Sheriff's Office Cpt. Jeff Lee states that on Feb. 4 around 2:30 p.m., 911 dispatch received a call reporting traffic complaint on Interstate 90. The caller described a black in color sport car with Montana plates that was moving all over the roadway and heading eastbound from around milepost 43.

SCSO deputies were dispatched to the area and eventually located the vehicle as it exited off the interstate and parked at Cameron Conoco gas station in Kellogg. After making contact with the driver, identified as Christopher Anthony Garofalo, 45, of Spokane Valley, Wash., Shoshone County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Allen explains that deputies made visual identification of illicit substances in the vehicle.

Upon further investigation, deputies discovered the mexi-blue pills along with paraphernalia, a weight scale and packaging materials.

"The totality of the circumstances underlined in the stop, which included the location of multiple scales, is an indication that this individual was engaged in distribution," Allen said.

It is unknown at this time if Garofalo was under the influence of any substances at the time of the arrest.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and up to 50 times more potent than heroin. ISP Sgt. Jess Stennett explained on Episode 43 of North Idaho Now podcast that "mexi-blue" pills are counterfeit versions of prescribed fentanyl that are shipped into the U.S. from Mexico. With little to no quality control in their creation, the amount of fentanyl can vary from pill to pill — creating a high risk of overdose.

Both SCSO and the Prosecutor's Office have seen a substantial rise in illegal fentanyl use local compared to even a year ago.

"The first time we had our first fentanyl case in Shoshone County since I have been with the office was in the last six months," said Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine. "We knew it was going to eventually start impacting our community, but we are seeing those issues more frequently right now."

Cpt. Lee added that only thing SCSO is able to do for curbing the rise of fentanyl or any drug possession is to hold those violators accountable and continue to investigate those instances where sales may be involved.

Garofalo was booked into the Shoshone County Jail on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, use or possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and use or possession of a schedule II controlled substance.