East Texas county creates Fentanyl Response Task Force

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — After fentanyl was reportedly being sold in at least one Van Zandt County school, District Attorney Tonda Curry held a press conference Wednesday to announce the formation of a new task force. According to our news partner KETK, the new Van Zandt County DA Fentanyl Response Task Force is made up of officers from county and state law enforcement agencies committed to making an immediate and aggressive response to the presence of fentanyl in the county.

In their first operation, the task force officers successfully searched a residence whose occupants allegedly supplied the drug to a 13-year-old overdose victim, who was hospitalized after the incident. Officers said they seized 150 to 200 fentanyl pills, marijuana and a handgun from the residence. A man was arrested in connection to the fentanyl and the DA said they have arrest warrants for more people. The pills found in Van Zandt County were reportedly being advertised as Percocets, Curry said, and that the fentanyl pills can come in any shape or color.

Wills Point ISD Police Chief Tim Scharfenber said their goal is to protect children. “Number one to protect our children. That is the number one thing that we are looking to do to protect our children and number 2 we want people to know that when you come to Van Zandt County, we take this stuff seriously,” said Scharfenberg.