Local authorities seize about 70 grams of fentanyl from suspected dealer

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – A Newburgh man is behind bars after authorities allegedly seized about 70 grams of fentanyl from him over a ten-month period.

According to an affidavit, prior to July 2023, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force was receiving anonymous tips and information from confidential sources that JaJaun Bennet was dealing fentanyl powder out of the 10600 block of Cricklewood Drive and meeting people in gas station parking lots.

Authorities say three controlled buys were conducted in conjunction with the task force and the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office between July and August 2023, and each time, confidential sources were able to obtain 1-3 grams of fentanyl from Bennett.

On Monday, May 13, authorities state they pulled over Bennett on I-69 and was taken into custody. Authorities say a loaded firearm was found in the glove box. Bennett has been previously convicted for Carrying a Handgun Without a License.

After obtaining a search warrant, the following was found inside Bennett’s residence:

South Middle Bedroom:

• Clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance in the closet, in a cardboard shoe box and on a stand by the couch
• Loose green leafy substance on a stand by the couch
• Doritos bag labeled containing THC in a couch
• Clear plastic bag containing a brownish powder in a black jacket, testing positive for fentanyl

Northeast Bedroom:

• Gray plastic bag containing THC edibles in a closset
• Prescription pill bottles belonging to Bennett in a closet
• $2,000 in U.S. currency located in the top of a closet
• Black wallet in a jacket pocket with two forms of identification belonging to Bennett in a closet

Kitchen Bathroom:

• Multiple plastic bags with powder residue in a trash can
• Five clear bags with a brownish powder that tested positive for fentanyl
• Digital scale with residue
• Box of plastic bags

Authorities state the total field weight of the amount of fentanyl seized from Bennett from July 2023 to May 2024 was 69 grams, about 700 typical user dosages.

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