PASQUOTANK, N.C. (WAVY) – Over 180 grams of fentanyl were seized by the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday during a vehicle stop on Highway 17.
According to officials, deputies initiated a vehicle stop on Highway 17 North in reference to a 2024 Hyundai Tuscon that was seen speeding. Before the vehicle came to a stop, one deputy noticed the driver, 47-year-old Al Esteban Ortiz, throw an object out of the window.
During the stop, Omar, a K9 with Currituck County, alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics in the Tuscon. Approximately 185 grams of fentanyl were seized as a result of the traffic stop.
An investigation determined that Ortiz was transporting the fentanyl from New York to Elizabeth City, where he would package and sell the fentanyl.
Ortiz was arrested at the scene and charged with the following:
- 1 felony count of trafficking fentanyl by transportation
- 1 felony count of trafficking by possession
- 1 felony count trafficking by manufacturing
- 1 felony count of possession with intent to sell/deliver Schedule II
- 1 felony count of maintaining a vehicle to store a controlled substance
- 1 misdemeanor count of failure to heed light or siren
- 1 misdemeanor count of littering not more than 15 pounds
- 1 misdemeanor count of speeding
Ortiz is currently being held at the Albemarle District Jail under a $1,000,000 secured bond.
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