In what has been marked as a substantial crackdown on narcotics, Manitowoc County authorities secured the largest fentanyl pill seizure not only in the county but also purported to be the largest in Wisconsin's history. As detailed in a FOX6 report, the 43.2-pound haul, with an estimated street value of around $5.8 million, was camouflaged as prescription medication. The successful interdiction resulted from a cooperative investigation involving the Manitowoc County Metro Drug Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Green Bay Resident Office, among other agencies.
The incriminating surveillance operation unfolded on January 6, eventually leading to the interception and arrest of three Arizona men: Dylan Hock, Trevor Hock, and Jose Gamez. It was during a routine traffic stop in Manitowoc County that authorities were able to link the trio to the illicit shipment definitively. According to WBAY, this drug bust is a testament to local and federal partnership efforts to stem to distribution of such powerful opioids in the region.
Dylan Hock faced immediate justice, with conviction on November 20, and received a sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by an additional 10 years in extended supervision, as outlined by FOX11 Online. Trevor Hock entered a guilty plea on charges related to the conspiracy to manufacture and deliver fentanyl on Wednesday, with sentencing set for February 10, 2026. Meanwhile, Gamez remains in custody, with charges looming over his involvement in the drug trafficking operation.
Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig lauded the collective efforts of the agencies involved. "This interdiction effort demonstrates the strong collaboration between local and state law enforcement agencies," he said, with an intention to continue to "improve public safety and protect the residents of Manitowoc County." These incidents underscore a growing trend that sees small communities grappling with the nationwide opioid epidemic, which law enforcement and judicial systems are earnestly working to engage with and directly combat, reported by FOX6.
