Fentanyl seizure results in $1 million bond

WARREN — Center Line resident Dionte Carson, 40, was arraigned in the 37th District court May 12 on a slew of weapons and drug charges involving fentanyl and cocaine.

The charges included delivery and manufacturing a controlled substance, fentanyl (450-999 grams), a 30-year felony, and two counts of delivery and manufacturing cocaine (one charge for having 50-449 grams, and the other for having less than 50 grams), both 20-year felonies. In addition, he now faces three felony weapons charges, each punishable by up to two years, and one count of maintaining a drug house, a two-year misdemeanor.

According to the Warren Police Department, the Special Investigations Unit’s undercover officers purchased fentanyl from Carson at various locations in Warren. The last purchase on May 10 led to Carson’s arrest, which police said was without incident and with the assistance of patrol officers. When police searched Carson, a Glock firearm and crack cocaine were allegedly found.

Investigators reportedly obtained and executed warrants for residences associated with Carson in Detroit and Center Line. Officers allegedly found 1 kilogram of fentanyl, 200 grams of cocaine, two narcotic presses, a sawed-off shotgun, an alleged stolen assault rifle and three other firearms in the Detroit residence.  A sizable amount of U.S. currency and banking paperwork were located at Carson’s reported Center Line residence.

“There is no telling how many lives were saved thanks to the seizure of such a large quantity of fentanyl and other drugs,” said Warren Police Commission William Dwyer.  “The DEA has confirmed this 1 kilogram of fentanyl could have potentially caused the death of 500,000 people.”

In a press release, police said Carson has no prior criminal history and pleaded not guilty. However, 37th District Court Visiting Judge William Crouchman set bond at $1 million.

Carson is currently in the Macomb County Jail where he awaits a probable cause hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. May 25. At press time, there was no defense attorney of record. According to the 37th District Court, they were waiting to hear from judicial aid.