By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
DOTHAN — A months-long narcotics investigation in Dothan has resulted in the arrest of two local men and the seizure of a significant quantity of fentanyl, including more than 11,000 pills, according to authorities.
The Dothan Police Department (DPD) announced that its Narcotics Division executed multiple search warrants on March 30 as part of an ongoing effort to combat the distribution of synthetic opioids in the city. Investigators identified several locations connected to the suspects that were allegedly being used to store and distribute illegal narcotics.
As a result of the operation, officers arrested Roland Craig Whitfield, 22, and Dewayne Brown Chambers, 53, both of Dothan. Each has been charged with drug trafficking involving fentanyl.
During the searches, investigators recovered approximately 11,000 fentanyl pills that had already been pressed, along with about 129 grams of fentanyl in powder form. Authorities also seized $9,166 in cash, two firearms, an electronic money counter, and materials commonly associated with packaging narcotics for sale. The total street value of the seized fentanyl is estimated to be around $250,000.
Both men are currently being held at the Houston County Jail. Bond information was not immediately available.
According to DPD, the investigation was launched after authorities observed an increase in fentanyl and fentanyl-laced substances circulating within the community. Officials say targeted enforcement efforts were aimed at identifying and disrupting the sources responsible for distributing the drugs.
Authorities emphasized that the seizure represents a significant removal of dangerous narcotics from local streets, potentially preventing widespread harm.
Fentanyl continues to pose an extremely deadly threat nationwide. “More than half of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl,” said Anne Milgram, former administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “This marks a dramatic increase from [40%] to six out of ten in the number…that can kill [with a single pill].”
Each year, the DEA issues Public Safety Alerts warning about the continued widespread trafficking of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. Many are produced by drug cartels that have become quite sophisticated in their operations so that the pills are designed to look like real prescription medications, including OxyContin®, Percocet®, and Xanax®. Even a small amount can be lethal: just two milligrams of fentanyl, about the size of a pencil tip, is considered potentially deadly. Fentanyl is highly addictive, 50 times more potent than heroin, and 100 times more potent than morphine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that of the nearly 78,000 drug overdose deaths occurring in the 12 months ending March 2025, 58% were caused by synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.
In a statement, DPD Chief William E. Benny said the operation marks meaningful progress but cautioned that the threat posed by fentanyl and other dangerous drugs remains ongoing.
“The removal of this quantity of fentanyl is an important step in protecting public safety,” Benny said. “Our department remains fully committed to identifying those responsible, making arrests, and working closely with prosecutors. We will continue focusing on disrupting the supply of dangerous substances while safeguarding the community’s health and well-being.”
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing, and additional developments and arrested. are possible.
For those at risk of overdose, the lifesaving medication Narcan, also called naloxone, has been available over-the-counter for purchase and in most pharmacies since the Biden Administration lifted restrictions and provided federal funding in 2023. Alabama residents can obtain free Narcan nasal spray without a prescription from the Jefferson County Health Department. It can be mailed to any resident in the state for free. Narcan can quickly reverse an opioid overdose if administered promptly, and videos about how to administer the spray are on the website. The health department also provides fentanyl test strips, which allow individuals to test pills for the presence of fentanyl. Residents can obtain Narcan and test strips by visiting the health department’s website.
*It is the Dale County Chronicle’s general policy to include the following statement on all reports involving arrests and/or allegations of criminal behavior: in our criminal justice system, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
