SHOSHONE COUNTY — An afternoon traffic stop Saturday, Oct. 21, resulted in the seizure of more than 9,000 fentanyl pills in Shoshone County.

A Shoshone County Sheriff's deputy stopped a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Cristobal Palomino traveling eastbound on Interstate 90, and during the stop, determined Palomino was exhibiting suspicious behavior and was found to be in possession of marijuana. The deputy and a Kellogg police officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, and approximately 9,000 fentanyl pills were reportedly found in the vehicle. 

“We can't underscore the importance of this fentanyl seizure enough. Our deputies and the other agencies in the Valley have been putting forth great effort in going after the drug dealers, and drug traffickers that are in our local communities or traveling through them,” Shoshone County Sheriff's Office Captain Seth Greene said.

According to the Montana Drug Task Force, the fentanyl haul seized in the traffic stop could be worth anywhere from $250,000 to 450,000.

Palomino, of Yakima, Wash., was charged for possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver, possession of a controlled substance schedule II, possession of marijuana and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Based on their investigation, deputies believe the pills originated from Yakima and were being transported east for greater profit. This is the largest fentanyl bust to date in Shoshone County, according to the sheriff's office. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 150 people die each day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The drug may be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. 

“When a seizure of this magnitude takes place, it has a large positive effect on the communities that these drugs were intended for and most definitely will save lives by preventing the distribution of these drugs,” Green said.