A Florida man, Will Catis Sr., has been convicted after pleading guilty to charges related to drug trafficking, involving a synthetic opioid that's as powerful as fentanyl, if not more so. According to a report by The National Desk (TND), Catis was implicated in a scheme to distribute drugs received from a Chinese company, Jiangsu Bangdeya New Material Technology Co. LTD.
The breakthrough in the case came when postal inspectors seized a parcel sent to Catis from the aforementioned Chinese company on October 22, 2022. The contents of the parcel were later confirmed to be a synthetic opioid, equally as dangerous as fentanyl, known as protonitazene. Catis, 42, now faces up to 20 years in prison, his sentencing is scheduled for April.
In the investigation that led to Catis's plea, authorities discovered a wide array of substances at his residence and a storage unit. These substances included various mixtures containing fentanyl, lidocaine, heroin, and several synthetic drugs, as reported by BNN Breaking News.
Additional evidence of Catis's dealings emerged from a search of his electronic media which contained traces of conversations with sales representatives of the Chinese chemical companies and images similar to the drugs seized. BNN Breaking News also detailed images of a kilogram press, firearms, and stacks of cash found, which further substantiated the federal charges against him.
With his guilty plea, the networks that connect local streets to overseas suppliers are brought ever more into the light, highlighting the complexities facing law enforcement in combatting this global issue.
