2 arrested in Columbia after nearly quarter-pound of fentanyl found in vehicle

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men were arrested after police found nearly a quarter-pound of fentanyl in a vehicle during a traffic stop near the Highway 63/Interstate 70 connector on Wednesday.

Darryl Ross, 42, and Corion Poe, 25, both of St. Louis, were arrested on Wednesday and are being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. They are both charged with first-degree drug trafficking.

The probable cause statement in Ross’ case says Ross was the driver of a Kia with the incorrect plates. Police pulled over the vehicle at 3:31 p.m. Wednesday. Ross and Poe were asked to get out of the vehicle and baggies with powder were found in the vehicle, the statement says.

The powder totaled 105.64 grams, or 0.23 pounds, of fentanyl. Police wrote in a statement that amount is about 1,050 doses of the drug.

The statement says Poe told police he was sleeping in the passenger seat when they were pulled over and Ross threw a bag of powder on his lap. Poe allegedly told police that he did not know anyone in Columbia and believed Ross was trying to set him up, the statement says.

Poe gave police permission to look at his phone and police could not find any messages about selling drugs or any photos of drugs, the statement says.

Court dates have not been scheduled.