Trooper's I-95 welfare check nets huge fentanyl seizure

A gloved hand helps to reveal the enormous amount of suspected fentanyl police found on a New York City woman on Sunday. (NHSP photo)

HAMPTON - New Hampshire State Police took possession of a monster cache of fentanyl on Saturday after stopping to assist a New York City woman during a welfare check on Interstate 95.

The incident unfolded around 5 p.m. when Trooper First Class Brian Gacek stopped to check on a vehicle that had pulled over along Interstate 95 North in Hampton.

The driver, 30 year-old Shaniqua N. Crawley of the Bronx, claimed she was looking for her asthma medication, according to a State Police press release.

Once it was determined the driver was not experiencing a medical emergency, Gacek learned the license plate on the vehicle belonged to a different car and Crawley did not hold a valid driver's license.

Subsequent to a roadside investigation, Crawley relinquished a large package of suspected narcotics that had been concealed upon her person. The package was later found to be approximately 1/3 kilogram (300 grams) of suspected fentanyl.

A BuzzFeednews.com report from 2017 estimated that a kilo of fentanyl could net a dealer $1.2 million.

The incident remains under investigation Gacek, and charges will be forthcoming. Anyone with further information is asked to contact TFC Gacek, via email, at brian.f.gacek@dos.nh.gov.