Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers offering $1,000 reward for fentanyl arrests

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- In response to recent arrests and deaths at the hands of deadly fentanyl, the Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers (PPACS) are offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to a fentanyl arrest.

"Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug that can be fatal in doses as small as two milligrams. Recently there have been numerous fatalities from this drug across the region, most recently when several young people died of this substance in Colorado Springs," Don Addy with Crime Stoppers told KRDO.

Recently, 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen echoed a similar sentiment.

"Two milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly. Two milligrams, you could have two pills that are counterfeit pills and there's no way to tell by looking at the pills, how much fentanyl is in one of those pills," Allen said.

On February 28th, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office arrested 36-year-old Samuel Rivera for unlawful distribution of the drug. In the arrest affidavit obtained by KRDO, arresting officers located 8.5 grams of fentanyl on him. They were located in a sandwich page with "M-30" (fentanyl) written on the front.

The affidavit states the officers did not feel comfortable counting or sorting any of the "blue in color pills" because they feared fentanyl exposure.

Addy told KRDO this increased reward is a response to an increase in fentanyl deaths, much like the tragic death of a District 11 student in December. The drug the student engaged with was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.

"Fentanyl is being laced into other drugs so people are taking it unknowingly and that is very hard to combat so the point we are trying to make is let's all work together to get this stuff off the streets," Addy said. 

Crime Stoppers want to do their part to keep the fentanyl fight going before any more lives are taken by the dangerous drug.

"You can help. You can help the community solve this problem. If you have information, give it to us, don't worry about retribution. If it's good information that results in an arrest, you can qualify for a reward," Addy said.

Crime Stoppers urges anyone with information about someone distributing fentanyl to call 719-634-7867 or visit the website. People can remain anonymous and receive the reward if the tip leads to an arrest.