In the United States in the last year, there have been 100,000 overdose deaths caused by fentanyl. Across Acadiana, there have been multiple deaths caused by fentanyl.

The Morgan City Police Department officials say they pulled over a vehicle recently, and they found over 500 pills scattered all over the car.

Officials report that they found 529 alprazolam pills ( Xanax ) that field testing showed were laced with fentanyl. Officers say 46-year-old Hermand Yvette Gatewood was pulled over for a traffic violation when they found green pills on the car's center console, all over the seats, and on the floorboard of her car.

In addition, when they pulled the woman over, it was determined that Gatewood did not have a valid driver's license.

Xanax pills with Fentanyl
Photo from Morgan City Police Department
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When they did field testing on the green pills they found, it was determined they were laced with fentanyl. This all happened Saturday night on Federal Avenue.

Officials arrested Gatewood for having over 5 ounces of these pills. She was booked into the Morgan City Jail on the following charges:

  • Possession of Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance ( Fentanyl)
  • No Driver's License
  • Disregard of Traffic Controls
  • Improper Equipment
  • The woman's bond was set at $201,500

Morgan Chief Chad Adams says their town along with other communities throughout Acadiana are being plagued by drugs including fentanyl. He says fentanyl is getting pressed into all kinds of pills. Just a small amount of fentanyl can kill you, and it's permeating all sectors of our cities and towns. He adds fentanyl is an epidemic here and across our country.

Fighting Fentanyl: Important Arrests Made Across Acadiana in 2022

The fight against fentanyl is a daunting one as the highly potent drug continues to take lives every day across the country. From Lafayette to the surrounding areas, law enforcement agencies have their hands full as they fight to get fentanyl off their respective streets.

Let's take a look back at headline-catching cases involving fentanyl in 2022.

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