A Hull man was nabbed by police with a massive stash of fentanyl, estimated to be nearly 7,000 lethal doses, Athens authorities reported. The arrest of Dwan Hewlett, 40, unfolded on December 20, following a brief chase on foot, around 4:20 p.m. at a Danielsville Road convenience store in Athens, according to Atlanta News First.
Together with the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, the Athens-Clarke police gang unit managed to quickly apprehend Hewlett. After searching his vehicle, they discovered not only fentanyl but also methamphetamine and cocaine, accompanied by materials used for packaging drugs and a digital scale. "Hewlett possessed approximately 139 grams (almost 5 ounces) of fentanyl, which amounts to nearly 7,000 potentially fatal doses," the police detailed in a release.
The suspect, a previously convicted felon, was also found with a firearm, which had an altered serial number, raising concerns about the activities surrounding its use. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, Hewlett now faces a slew of charges. These charges include trafficking fentanyl, meth, and cocaine, as well as gun-related offenses given his convicted felon status.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has reiterated their commitment to toughly crack down on drug traffickers and remove such dangerous substances from the streets. They have urged anyone with information on drug-related activities to come forward and reach out to the department's drug tip line. This case underlines the ongoing issue of drug proliferation in local communities and the lethal risk it poses to the public.
