Nearly 12 Pounds of Suspected Fentanyl Found After NY Police Chase

A massive drug seizure in New York State is getting plenty of attention, and one four-legged member of the New York State Police deserves a little extra recognition.

Meet K9 Wild, the police dog credited with helping troopers uncover nearly 12 pounds of suspected fentanyl during a traffic stop that turned into a pursuit.

According to New York State Police, troopers attempted to stop a Nissan traveling north on the Taconic State Parkway in East Fishkill (about 90 miles outside of Albany)  around 10:50 PM on Monday, October 19th.

Driver Faces Serious Charges

Police identified the driver as Tyrike Gibbs, 36, of Brooklyn, and he faces multiple charges, including first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell, and unlawfully fleeing police.

According to the NYSP, Gibbs allegedly refused to stop, prompting police to pursue the vehicle.  The report states that during the chase, one of Gibbs' tires failed, the vehicle eventually stopped, and police took the driver into custody.

Photo: NYSP

K9 Wild Makes a Massive Discovery

That's when K9 Wild went to work.

According to the report, the highly trained dog let troopers know about the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search followed, and according to the NYSP, Wild helped them uncover approximately 5,455 grams of suspected fentanyl.

That's more than 12 pounds of a potentially deadly synthetic opioid, which is significantly more potent than morphine.

Why Fentanyl Is So Dangerous

Fentanyl has fueled a devastating overdose crisis across New York State, claiming thousands of lives in recent years.

Although recent data show an encouraging decline in overdose deaths, the danger remains very real.

Read More: How To Combat Heating Costs With NY Assistance Program

Fentanyl, according to sources, is involved in a majority of opioid-related fatalities.  Often, it's unknowingly mixed with other street drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and even in counterfeit prescription pills.

Narcotics experts say that even a tiny amount can be deadly, making the nearly 12 pounds of suspected fentanyl seized by New York State Police so significant.

A big haul for the NYSP, thanks in part to terrific work by K9 Wild!