What started as a traffic stop in unincorporated El Paso County on Thursday ended with two people in jail and hundreds of suspected fentanyl pills off the road, according to deputies.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy pulled over a “suspicious” vehicle after first spotting it in the 5000 block of Marabou Drive, then stopping it near Hancock Expressway and Yucatan Drive. A search turned up 741 blue pills believed to be fentanyl, about 9.5 grams of methamphetamine and several items investigators say lined up with drug distribution.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the vehicle search also uncovered empty syringes, a digital scale and packaging materials that deputies say were consistent with narcotics distribution. The driver and passenger were arrested at the scene and remain held on bond while the investigation continues.
The seizure lands in the middle of Colorado’s broader fentanyl crisis, where deaths tied to the drug and seizures of counterfeit pills have climbed sharply in recent years. Data and reporting from The Colorado Sun and regional seizure reports indicate law enforcement in the Rocky Mountain region has intercepted large quantities of fake pills and other fentanyl shipments in recent years.
Deputies' Account and Charges
The sheriff’s office identifies the driver as 68-year-old Dale Witham. Deputies say he was determined to be driving under the influence and was booked on suspicion of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale, driving under the influence and multiple traffic offenses.
The passenger, 37-year-old Justin Haakenson, was allegedly found with a glass pipe commonly used for narcotics. He was booked on unlawful distribution, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other misdemeanor offenses, according to the sheriff’s office. Both men are being held on a $50,000 bond and were transported to the El Paso County Jail, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office says.
Potential Penalties Under Colorado Law
Unlawful distribution of controlled substances in Colorado is charged under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-18-405. Penalties depend on the substance, weight and circumstances, and fentanyl-related offenses can carry felony prison terms and substantial fines. Prosecutors and judges consider the amount involved, any intent to distribute and aggravating factors when determining charges and potential sentencing ranges, according to Colorado Public Law.
The sheriff’s office shared photos of the seized items on its Facebook post and says the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office; the Facebook post includes additional details and images of the evidence.
