Durham County Sheriff’s Office Seizes One Kilogram of Fentanyl, Arrests Suspect on Federal Probation
DURHAM, NC — The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Anti-Crime and Narcotics Unit (SAC/Narc) has arrested a Durham man and seized a kilogram of fentanyl as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in Durham County.
Traffic Stop Leads to Major Seizure
On the evening of December 4, investigators with the SAC/Narc unit observed 28-year-old Jerrad Alexander McPherson engaging in suspicious activity consistent with the sale and distribution of narcotics. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, McPherson refused to stop, sparking a short pursuit.
During the chase, deputies witnessed the suspect throw items from the vehicle, later recovered as a stolen firearm and a small quantity of narcotics. McPherson was eventually stopped and taken into custody without further incident.
Following his arrest, deputies executed a search warrant at McPherson’s residence, where they discovered one kilogram of fentanyl — a potentially lethal quantity capable of killing up to 500,000 people, according to federal estimates.
Charges and Bond
McPherson, who is currently on federal probation, was booked into the Durham County Detention Facility under a $2.5 million bond. He faces the following felony charges:
- Felony Possession of Cocaine
- Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle (F)
- 2 Counts – Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Possession of a Stolen Firearm
- Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver (PWIMSD) Fentanyl
- PWIMSD Methamphetamine (Schedule II Controlled Substance)
- Trafficking in Opium or Fentanyl
Sheriff Birkhead: “A Sobering Reminder”
Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead emphasized the magnitude of the seizure, noting that two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.
“When you consider the population of Durham County is just over 343,000, that number is sobering and underscores the gravity of this seizure,” said Sheriff Birkhead. “The Durham County Sheriff’s Office is committed to fighting the opioid epidemic. We were the first in North Carolina to offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for residents with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and our investigators will continue working tirelessly with state, local, and federal officials to stop the flow of these deadly drugs.”
The Opioid Crisis in North Carolina
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, more than 41,500 North Carolinians lost their lives to drug overdoses between 2000 and 2023. Preliminary data for 2024 estimates an additional 3,025 deaths — roughly eight per day — due to overdoses, many linked to fentanyl.
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office continues to take proactive measures to intercept large-scale narcotics operations and protect residents from the ongoing opioid crisis.
About the Durham County Sheriff’s Office
One of the largest sheriff’s offices in North Carolina, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) serves unincorporated Durham County and portions of the Research Triangle Park. Nearly 500 employees work across divisions including patrol, criminal investigations, detention, courthouse security, and animal protection. The DCSO also manages the Durham County Detention Facility and enforces state and civil laws throughout the county.