Ihlenfeld: Counterfeit Pills ‘a Problem That Is Exploding’ in the Ohio Valley

Photo by Joselyn King

WHEELING - Fetanyl and a pill press used for making fake Xanax pills were among items seized during a drug arrest on Wheeling Island last month, bringing a growing national problem close to home, according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld

Fake pills made from fentanyl are being sold online to many seeking Xanax without a prescription, and taking the pills can be both dangerous and fatal, he cautioned.

Ihlenfeld was joined at the West Virginia State Police barracks in Wheeling Thursday by representatives of the West Virginia State Police; the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Moundsville Police Department.

He spoke of the federal indictment this week of Christopher W. Thomas, 32, of Thornville, Ohio. Thomas is charged with possession with intent to distribute both fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Thomas was stopped by State Police on March 3 on Wheeling Island. Arresting officers found 240 grams of suspected fentanyl in his possession - both in the form of powder and in the form of counterfeit Xanax pills.

Thomas also had in his vehicle other items necessary to manufacture pills, including a metal press with a hydraulic jack, cutting agents and a portable mixer, according to Ihlenfeld.

"Mr. Thomas had a portable laboratory in his car and possessed everything necessary to make his own tablets and sell them to unsuspecting customers in the Ohio Valley," he said.

Also recovered by officers at the scene were a loaded Sig Sauer 9 mm pistol, a box of ammunition, about $5,000 in cash and 81 grams of methamphetamine.

Thomas was transported to the Northern Regional Jail. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the drug counts, and 10 years for the gun count, according to information provided by Ihlenfeld's office.

Ihlenfeld explained law enforcement had been investigating Thomas. They found out he was known to love to come to Wheeling to gamble, and that he also did not have a valid driver's license.

State Police waited for him to drive off casino property, and initiated a stop based on his not having a license, Ihlenfeld explained. A search of his car followed.

"The production of counterfeit fentanyl is one of the greatest threats facing law enforcement today," Ihlenfeld said. "This is a trend we're seeing not just at the southern border and big cities, but right here in West Virginia and Ohio and every other state in the country."

The counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are being marketed online as legitimate prescription pills, and police are seizing the fake pharmaceuticals at a rate 50 times greater than just four years ago, he added.

"This is a problem that is exploding," Ihlenfeld said. "This is a problem that is in real time. This is the greatest threat we face when it comes to drug law enforcement."

Drug cartels are increasingly selling fentanyl in a pill form because they have found it is more profitable to sell the drug that way, according to Ihlenfeld. He explained people often are more comfortable taking pills than injecting or snorting drugs.

College students wanting to stay up all night often look online to find pharmaceuticals that will keep them awake, and which do not require a doctor's prescription.

They think they are buying Adderall or Xanax for anxiety. What they are getting is something else - something that could kill them.

"Folks like Mr. Thomas don't have a degree in chemistry," Ihlenfeld said. "He is not concerned with quality control like you would see in a manufacturing laboratory."

And just one pill has the potential to kill the user, he continued.

Ihlenfeld encouraged parents to speak with their children - especially college-age students - about the dangers of purchasing unprescribed medications online.