Two Arrested For The Sell Of Fentanyl
- Travis Uresk
- Jul 16, 2024
- 9 min read
By Travis Uresk
7/16/24
| Vernal, Ut. | July 15th, 2024 |
The Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force made arrangements to meet with a Confidential Informant to purchase illegal drugs. The CI reported they could purchase controlled substances from a subject known to the CI as 46-year-old Travis Jerry Davies.
This was the second controlled buy on Travis. During the previous buy, Travis utilized two females to deliver the controlled substances.
The Strike Force agents met with the CI at a prearranged location to assist with the controlled buy. Agents searched the CI's vehicle and their person. No weapons, controlled substances or money were found on either the CI's person or inside the vehicle.
The CI was given $100 to purchase the illegal narcotics, and a recording device was also given to the CI.
Agents followed the CI while two other agents were already set up to watch the buying location.
A short time later, a female arrived in a white Honda Accord. The CI spoke with the female through the vehicle window. The drug transaction was completed, and the CI drove directly back to the prearranged location.
Strike Force Agents maintained audio and visual surveillance throughout the controlled buy. Upon arrival at the prearranged location, an agent conducted a debrief and began by reading the admonition to the CI, after which the CI provided an account of what had occurred.
The CI stated that after leaving the prearranged location, They drove directly to 575 W Main St. The CI stated that they parked in the parking lot and made contact with a female they knew to be Candace Hogan. The CI stated they provided Candace with the $100, which was provided to them by the UBNSF. The CI stated Candace then provided them with a baggy containing ten fentanyl pills.
The CI said they returned to their vehicle and drove directly to the prearranged location. The CI stated that though they met with Candace, they had arranged the purchase of the pills with Travis Davies.
A clear baggie containing ten blue "M30" pills was released to the agent by the CI. The CI stated that the pills in the baggie were what they knew to be Fentanyl.
Agents again searched the CI's person and vehicle, and no controlled substances, contraband, or money were found.
On 07/15/24, UBNSF Agents executed a search warrant at Travis and Candace's residence in Uintah County. Travis was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for medical clearance due to his recent use of Fentanyl, among other concerns.
At the hospital, Travis was advised of his rights, per Miranda. Travis admitted to using Fentanyl the night prior. Travis was asked questions regarding the search warrant findings and the distribution of controlled substances, and he subsequently no longer wanted to speak without a lawyer present.
In May 2024, during the execution of an unrelated warrant during another narcotics operation, informants stated the fentanyl powder was purchased from Travis and was delivered by the same.
On 7/15/24, an agent with the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force (UBNSF) applied for and was approved a search warrant at 150 E 750 N # 63. The UBNSF, Vernal Police Department, and Naples Police Department coordinating agencies executed this search warrant at approximately 7:20 a.m.
Officers knocked on their door and announced their presence several times. A short time later, the front door opened, and a female, identified as 28-year-old Candace Revoe Hogan, stood in the doorway. She stated she was concerned about her cats getting out.
As the warrant members were clearing the residence, they located a male, identified as 46-year-old Travis Jerry Davies, in the back bedroom and bathroom area with wet clothes and hands. Travis was arrested and advised of his Miranda rights and he appeared to not know why his clothing was wet.
The arresting agent informed Travis he didn’t want his officers hurt and to let me know where the fentanyl powder was. He stated he may have some but was unsure how much and where it was. Travis was searched. He had a large sum of cash currency in his left pocket.
The agent secured and spoke to Candace, who was not verbally cooperative with the investigation. She wanted to smoke a cigarette and seemed confused about why the officers were there. The agent advised Candace there were controlled buys of illegal narcotics on her. She tried to deny it, but when informed she was visibly seen and had a voice recording, her attitude changed.
Candace stated she used Fentanyl and methamphetamine recently and said she does not sell. She also stated she had been living at the residence for a year.
Travis and Candace were taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center and the Uintah Basin Medical Center for medical care and clearance prior to being booked into the Uintah County Jail.
Agents and assisting officers executed the approved search warrant for the residence.
In the back bathroom, there was a plunger in the toilet, baggies and bleach inside, and water splashed all over the bathroom, in and around the litter box, and around the bathroom as if they were frantically attempting to destroy evidence down the toilet.
Multiple cameras monitored the approach and driveway of the residence in the master bedroom. Travis could see the officers arrive and approach the residence.
Based on the officer's training, Travis saw the officers approaching the residence and panicked. He stated to Candace that the police were there but did not exit the room. She stated that even though she was in the kitchen a mere 15 feet away, she did not hear the toilet flush and had spilled tomatoes on the floor. The water and plunger with the baggies inside the toilet and outside on the floor are consistent with Travis attempting to flush the items.
Candace said she sleeps on the floor, from the living room to the kitchen. There was no clear space nor bedding or pillows on the floor area. There was no floor space anywhere except a spare bedroom which was clearly being worked on. There was only bedding in the master bedroom. Candace stated she had lived like this for a year.
In the master bedroom was a king-sized bed and two places on it that was clear of debris and available for sleeping. When the warrant team knocked on the door, Candace initially stated she was sleeping.
In the master bedroom, on the bed, was a baggie of suspected Fentanyl. There was a safe in which Davies and Hogan had their names inside on paperwork. Inside the safe was a baggie of methamphetamine, small baggies, a bag of blue/green M-30 fentanyl pills, prescription pills, and a container with black tar heroin. With all of these items were bags of baggies unused and multiple scales in the room. These items were consistent with possession with intent to distribute.
In the living room, there was a standing mini-drawer set with Travis's credit card and information. There was a self-made tooter and meth pipe in this same drawer.
Travis was booked on possession with intent to distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Tampering with evidence.
All of Travis’s charges are elevated to Felony 1 Due to many prior convictions of distribution and possession charges.
Candace was booked on Possession of Methamphetamine and possession of Fentanyl. Candace's charges are Misdemeanor A. There are no prior convictions.
Based on the affirmation of the arresting officer, the undersigned magistrate finds that probable cause existed for the arrest without a warrant of Travis Jerry Davies. Travis Jerry Davies may post bail in the amount of $10,000.00.
If Travis Jerry Davies posts bail as stated above, Travis Jerry Davies is hereby ordered to be released subject to the following conditions:
• Promise to appear for all required court proceedings
• Promise to not commit any criminal offense
• Report your contact information and any change in address, phone or email to the Court and your attorney within 1 business day of the change
• Complete Pretrial Supervision intake appointment within 72 hours after jail release
• Receive hearing date reminders
• Report in person 1x per month for supervision appointment
• Report to Pretrial Supervision immediately after jail release
Based on the affirmation of the arresting officer, the undersigned magistrate finds that probable cause existed for the arrest without a warrant of Candace Revoe Hogan. Candace Revoe Hogan may post bail in the amount of $2,500.00.
If Candace Revoe Hogan posts bail as stated above, Candace Revoe Hogan is hereby ordered to be released subject to the following conditions:
• Promise to appear for all required court proceedings
• Promise to not commit any criminal offense
• Report your contact information and any change in address, phone or email to the Court and your attorney within 1 business day of the change
• Release on own recognizance with hearing date reminder
What Are Blues Drugs? | The Dangers Of Smoking Blues & M30s
The illegal drug market contains numerous substances that pose a high risk of addiction and overdose. Most of these substances go by various street names. In recent years, many drug dealers have started selling highly dangerous drugs known as “blues” or “M30s.”
What Are Blues Drugs?
Blues or M30s are round, blue pills stamped with “M” on one side and “30” on the other side. They contain illegally manufactured fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic (human-made) opioid that doctors use to treat severe cancer pain. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it’s 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.
Fentanyl-Laced Pills
Like other opioids, fentanyl can make you feel relaxed and euphoric, or “high.” That’s why some people abuse it. It’s often sold on the street under names like “apache,” “China girl,” and “TNT.’
Most people who use blues and M30s don’t realize they are ingesting fentanyl.
That’s because drug dealers try to pass the pills off as Roxicet or oxycodone, a prescription opioid that’s much less deadly than fentanyl. They do this to give buyers a stronger high and cut production costs (as fentanyl is relatively cheap to manufacture).
In the past, most blues were produced in Mexico, China, and India. Recently, though, many U.S. drug traffickers have started producing them as well. This is likely because so many
Americans have become addicted to opioids.
Also, since the opioid crisis has led lawmakers to place much tighter restrictions on prescription opioid use, many people find blues more accessible than prescription opioids.
Teens & Social Media
Blues are often sold to teenagers and young adults on social media. In general, young people are more likely to use pills than other types of street drugs because they’re usually cheaper. They also lack strong smells, which helps teenagers hide their drug use from their parents.
Many people who use blues heat them on a piece of tinfoil. This practice produces vapors that can be smoked.
The Dangers Of Blues Drugs
People who smoke blues and M30s face a high risk of fentanyl overdose. Even two milligrams of fentanyl (the size of a few grains of sand) can be fatal. The most common symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:
confusion, nausea and/or vomiting
pale, clammy skin
bluish lips and/or fingernails
slowed or stopped breathing
slowed or stopped heart rate
loss of consciousness
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911 right away. Also, administer naloxone if you have it. Naloxone is a medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
It’s available at most pharmacies under the brand Narcan. Your pharmacist or doctor can teach you how to administer it.
Opioid Addiction
Using blues and M30s can also lead to fentanyl addiction. This serious disease makes you feel unable to stop using fentanyl even if you want to. Other symptoms can include:
mood swings
loss of motivation
loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
avoidance of friends and family members
tolerance (needing increasingly larger or more frequent doses of fentanyl to feel the desired effects)
physical dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and nausea, when you don’t use fentanyl)
How To Stay Safe From Counterfeit Drugs
In most cases, blues and M30s look identical to genuine oxycodone pills. That’s why you should never buy oxycodone on the street or online. Instead, use it only when it’s prescribed to you by your doctor.
You should also encourage your loved ones, especially teenagers and young adults, to do the same. Explain that many street pills are secretly contaminated with fentanyl and that it’s impossible to identify which pills are fake.
Along with being pressed into blue pills, fentanyl is also secretly added to a wide variety of other street drugs, including:
other opioids, such as codeine, hydrocodone, and heroin (also called “dope,” “skag,” or “black tar”)
methamphetamine (also called “meth”)
cocaine (also called “coke”)
benzodiazepines (or “benzos”), such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium)
prescription stimulants (or “poppers”), such as amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin)
marijuana (also called “weed,” “skunk,” or “ganja”)
synthetic marijuana (also called “black mamba” or “spice”)
psychedelics, such as LSD (also called “blotter”), psilocybin mushrooms (also called “shrooms” or “mushies”), ketamine (also called “special K” or “vitamin K”), PCP (also called “angel dust,”) peyote (also called “mescaline”), and MDMA (also called “ecstasy”)
club drugs, such as MDMA (also called “ecstasy”) and GHB (also called “liquid ecstasy”)
synthetic cathinones (also called “bath salts,” “bliss,” and “vanilla sky”)
Ultimately, the only way to avoid a deadly fentanyl overdose is to never use street drugs. If you or someone you love feels unable to stop using street drugs, seek help at a drug addiction treatment center.
Addiction Treatment
Drug rehab centers offer a variety of recovery-focused services, including medical detox, mental health counseling, and support groups.
To learn more about drug addiction treatment options, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. Our board-certified treatment providers offer personalized, evidence-based care to help you or your loved one stay healthy and sober.
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