DALE COUNTY, Ala. — A man is behind bars in Dale County after authorities say he was caught with thousands of fentanyl pills following a high-speed chase that ended in a crash. The incident unfolded during the early morning hours of April 30, when deputies from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office attempted a routine traffic stop on a red Dodge Charger traveling on Highway 231, near County Road 213.
According to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the Charger, later identified as 29-year-old Cornelius Cooper, accelerated rapidly as the deputy exited his patrol car. The driver then led officers on a dangerous pursuit, reaching speeds of up to 100 MPH, before misjudging a turn on Highway 123 and crashing the vehicle into an embankment.
Sheriff Mason Bynum reported that as Cooper attempted to flee on foot after the crash, he discarded a bag into nearby woods. Deputies, however, quickly recovered the bag, which was found to contain approximately 3,000 pills believed to be fentanyl.
Cooper was apprehended moments later when he was tased by a deputy. Following his arrest, he was charged with felony attempting to elude and drug trafficking.
“I commend our deputies for their proactive work in getting these dangerous drugs off the street,” said Sheriff Bynum in a statement. “We will continue aggressive enforcement efforts to make sure these and other dangerous drugs do not end up in the wrong hands.”
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been linked to a rising number of overdose deaths across the United States due to its extreme potency. The seizure of these pills represents a significant effort by local law enforcement to combat the ongoing opioid crisis.
Cooper remains in custody at the Dale County Jail as he awaits further legal proceedings. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to determine the intended distribution network for the seized drugs.
This arrest underscores the growing concern over drug trafficking in the region and the commitment of local law enforcement to combat the deadly fentanyl crisis.
