RAPID CITY, S.D. — Two Rapid City residents are facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities seized about 4,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl during a traffic stop in Pennington County.
According to the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team, or UNET, Travis Harberts, 36, and Maranza Ball, 35, are accused of transporting fentanyl and cocaine from Colorado to Rapid City.
Authorities said that a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper conducted the traffic stop, leading to the seizure of approximately 410 grams of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
Authorities also seized nearly 14 grams of cocaine, 34 grams of powdered fentanyl and almost $3,700 in cash.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has warned that counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl have been linked to numerous deadly overdoses.
Harberts and Ball are each charged with:
- One felony count of distribution or manufacturing of a Schedule II controlled substance, fentanyl
- One felony count of distribution or manufacturing of a Schedule II controlled substance, cocaine
- One felony count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, fentanyl
- One felony count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, cocaine
- Two misdemeanor counts of possession or use of drug paraphernalia related to fentanyl and cocaine
- One seat belt violation
Both were booked into the Pennington County Jail.
Officials said the investigation was a coordinated effort involving local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
