319 pounds of promethazine seized

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – A Memphis man was arrested in Nacogdoches after deputies seized about 319 pounds of promethazine on Saturday during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, deputies pulled over Rodarius Criss, 24, at around 1 a.m. for a traffic violation. A K9 officer was called after Criss reportedly denied deputies permission to search the vehicle. After the K9 alerted officials, a probable cause search was conducted, a release said. Criss was charged with possession of a dangerous drug.

Promethazine is a prescription medication used to treat allergies and nausea, the National Library of Medicine said. The sheriff’s office said the drug is misused for its sedative effects.

“Nineteen cases, each containing 12 bottles, of prescription promethazine was located in the vehicle’s trunk. The total weight of the medication was approximately 319 pounds,” the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said.

Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office Communications Specialist Tim Monzingo said they are glad the amount was able to be taken off the streets. Saturday’s bust is a part of an ongoing uptick in the amount of promethazine taken off the streets.

In 2023, law enforcement confiscated 400 pounds of the drug in Nacogdoches County. That number has spiked significantly just this year with deputies seizing more than 1,200 pounds of the drug.

“We’re concerned that it’s coming through our community,” Monzingo said.

Law enforcement expect drug busts to continue until they can figure out where the drug is coming from and what can be done to stop it.

“As soon as the sun comes up and goes down, we will be interdicting drug traffickers,” Monzingo said.