CHICO — Two alleged drug trafficking operations were hit by the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force this week leading to four arrests and the hospitalization of two children, ages 3 and 5, who tested positive for fentanyl, according to BINTF Commander Michael O’Brien.
The two children were in the care of Michael McKenzie Bowers, 35, and Shelby Jean Pogue, 32, who were staying at University Inn in downtown Chico. Chico Police Department Officer Logan Zimmerman was investigating the couple on suspected fentanyl trafficking. BINTF assisted Zimmerman in the investigation.
BINTF agents assisted Zimmerman in the execution of a search warrant on Wednesday. Officers waited for Bowers to leave his motel room to arrest him because of the belief that children were in the room.
Zimmerman apprehended Bowers after he left the motel room with an electric scooter, according to the release. Police say they apprehended Pouge in the motel room and located the two young children. O’Brien said Pouge is the mother of the two children, but O’Brien is not sure if Bowers is the children’s father.
BINTF alleges that during the search officers seized what they suspect to be 311 grams of fentanyl, 18 grams of cocaine, 9 grams of heroin and 1.4 grams of methamphetamine. The task force also claims there were two fentanyl bongs in the room that resembled children’s toys, one in the shape of a dinosaur and the other in the shape of an ice cream cone.
The release alleged that the drugs were in easy reach of the children.
“It’s really a miracle that these kids survived,” O’Brien said. “There was fentanyl everywhere, it looked like it was on the ground when I got there. We’re very grateful that the kids are alive.”
Bowers and Pouge were arrested on suspicion of possession of fentanyl for purposes of sales and suspicion of felony child endangerment.
O’Brien said that though the children tested positive for fentanyl, no additional medical attention was needed.
“The 5-year-old was emaciated, but both are safe and doing well,” O’Brien said. “Thanks to Children Services for the safety net they provide for children in these situations.”
Another arrest
BINTF arrested Kenneth James Duchi, 38, and Jamie Marie Porter, 28, on Tuesday on suspicion of drug trafficking.
After obtaining a search warrant, BINTF agents stopped a car driven by Porter, with Duchi riding in the passenger seat, near the intersection of West Ninth and and Hazel Streets in Chico.
Inside the vehicle agents seized over 65 grams of suspected fentanyl and 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine, according to a news release from BINTF.
Agents claim there was other evidence in the car that suggested the drugs were intended for sale. BINTF agents later search Duchi’s apartment located at 1143 North Cedar St.
Duchi was arrested on suspicion of transportation of fentanyl for purposes of sales, possession of fentanyl for sale and transportation of methamphetamine for purposes of sales. Porter was arrested on suspicion of transportation of fentanyl for the purposes of sales and transportation of methamphetamine for purposes of sales.
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Both were taken to Butte County jail. The release stated that this is an active investigation.
O’Brien said he did not know of an “obvious connection” between the Tuesday arrests and the Wednesday arrests.
“We did not coordinate the two operations intentionally, other than normal operational capacities,” O’Brien said. “Our intent (is) to remove as much fentanyl from the community as we can, and to hold accountable those who profit from this crisis.”
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