The Parker County Special Crimes Unit (SCU) has arrested two men in connection with a narcotics investigation that involved multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies. The investigation began with the arrest of a Parker County man on charges of trafficking fentanyl and evolved into identifying a larger fentanyl Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) in North Texas.
Over several months, SCU investigators collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Gangs and Violent Crimes - Fort Worth, Fort Worth Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT #4), Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This joint effort included numerous undercover purchases of fentanyl from DTO members, resulting in the seizure of approximately 160 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to about 1,600 pills.
On June 24, law enforcement agencies executed an enforcement operation that led to the arrests of Derrion White, 21, and Cortez Sterling, 23, both confirmed Crip gang members. They face various federal charges related to the distribution of illegal narcotics. During the arrests, an additional 78 grams of fentanyl, approximately 780 pills, were seized.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to address the fentanyl crisis in the region. Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier emphasized the importance of multi-agency collaboration in combating the growing threat posed by fentanyl compared to heroin and methamphetamine.
“This is not a single-handed battle for smaller individual law enforcement agencies,” Sheriff Authier said. “These investigations need the collaboration of a multi-agency presence. We are grateful for our Special Crimes Unit’s training and experience, and for the assistance of the agencies who continue to participate in joint operations in order to combat the fentanyl crisis in our area.”
