Oklahoma County jail investigation catches mail laced with fentanyl before it causes harm

On Tuesday, Oklahoma County authorities raided a metro home, and investigators uncovered an alleged fentanyl smuggling operation. Four people are now in custody, accused of mailing the drugs to the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

The investigation began on April 10 

This investigation began about two weeks ago after they received a package laced with drugs. During that time, jail investigators found enough evidence to make their arrests, likely saving lives. On Tuesday, investigators served their search warrant and found that people barricaded the door. 

“We broke through the window,” said investigator Gaven Fields, with Oklahoma County. 

What we know about the suspects  

Fifty-one-year-old Jennifer Goss led Oklahoma County jail investigators to a home in the Smith Village neighborhood on Southeast 14th Street and South Bryant Avenue near Del City. Investigators said they found evidence of drugs, including a meth lab. 

Jerry Vickery and Larry Stotts also face multiple drug complaints related to this case. Del City police arrested a fourth person for outstanding warrants. That person has not been named. Investigator Noah Kenney said Goss mailed fentanyl saturated sheets of paper to the jail. 

The strength of fentanyl increases the safety risk

“The whole package in itself was about sixty grams,” Kenney said. “Which would have been enough to kill the entire jail twenty times over.” 

In theory, the amount in the package was enough fentanyl to kill a town about the size of Yukon. 

“Sixty grams is enough to kill about thirty thousand people,” Kenney said. 

Drug overdoses have plagued OCDC 

Oklahoma County is no stranger to the potent drug slipping through the cracks of jail security. Changes within the jail have helped stop illicit drugs, but drugs have still gotten inside. 

“It’s not the first time,” Fields said. “Definitely is a problem.” 

In January, Vincent Riggie lost his life to a fentanyl overdose – he was 37 years old. 

Riggie's mother, Sandra Cagle, shared her son’s story and his struggle with addiction. 

“We so looked forward to him getting clean and being the person he used to be,” Cagle said, in an interview with News 9 on April 13. “You don’t get over it. It hurts real, real bad.” 

Fentanyl overdoses have skyrocketed statewide since 2019 

Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that between 2019 and 2023, fentanyl overdose deaths jumped 1,300% statewide. OCDC has tried to keep up with the drug cycling in Oklahoma. 

“In the past, all of this paper has been sent in completely undetected,” Kenney said. 

Investigators are getting better training to identify fentanyl. Kenney said they’re learning what to look for in cases. 

“So, we’re able to combat these papers,” Kenney said. 

What’s next? 

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics will test the drugs found and destroy them. Investigators said the investigation is ongoing.