A Mississippi man is behind bars for allegedly using a pill press to sell fake pharmaceuticals, many of which were fentanyl-laced.
On July 2, agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Philadelphia Police Department executed a search warrant at a local residence following the arrest of 40-year-old DeAndrew Hudson for sale of a controlled substance
During Hudson’s arrest, agents reported observing a pill press along with assorted illegal narcotics at his residence. Agents located and seized the following items:
- Over 600 counterfeit pharmaceutical narcotics manufactured to resemble legal pharmaceutical pills, including hydrocodone, Tylenol, Percocet, and ecstasy
- Approximately 11 pounds of Fentanyl combined with a pill binder
- Approximately 840 grams of Marijuana
- Approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine
- Approximately 14.8 grams of Hydrocodone powder combined with a pill binder
- One pill press utilized in the manufacturing of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills
- One binder mixer that was actively in the mixing process
Hudson is charged with one count of violation of the Victoria Huggins Pill Press Law, trafficking hydrocodone, trafficking cocaine, and possession of Percocet. All of the charges are enhanced due to the crimes reportedly being committed within 1,500 feet of a church.
“Great work by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Philadelphia Police Department in getting dangerous counterfeit drugs off the streets,” Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said. “These fake pills, made with a pill press, were being sold in our communities and could have easily cost someone their life. Thank you all for a job well done!”
Analysis by the Mississippi Crime Lab indicated the presence of fentanyl in the counterfeit pills designed to look like Tylenol. The lab also detected Fentanyl and Tramadol in the counterfeit pills designed to resemble Percocet. The counterfeit pills designed to resemble hydrocodone were found to contain actual hydrocodone along with a pill binder. The pills designed to look like Ecstasy pills were found to contain methamphetamine.
