A suspected drug runner zigzagged north on Interstate 25, taking nearly every exit and doubling back before disappearing into the trees near Glendo for 90 minutes — part of what federal investigators say was an organized network hauling loads of meth and fentanyl from Colorado into Wyoming.
A confidential source told investigators that the network made repeated Colorado runs and claimed to have returned from one trip with 174 pounds of methamphetamine and 2,000 fentanyl pills.
The June run ultimately ended with coordinated traffic stops near Casper, the seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the arrest of Robert Lawrence Johnson, who investigators say admitted eating both drugs just before he was stopped.
Johnson is the first defendant publicly tied to the investigation in a newly filed federal case, but Ryan Cox, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team commander, told Cowboy State Daily they have identified other suspects and seized additional drugs during the ongoing operation.
Johnson is charged federally with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine. The charge carries between five and 40 years in prison.
On Thursday, the court scheduled Johnson's federal initial appearance for 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Federal prosecutors have filed a motion seeking his detention while the case proceeds.
Controlled Meth Buy
The investigation stretches back to Feb. 10, when agents with DCI's Central Enforcement Team used a confidential source to conduct a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Johnson, DCI Special Agent Cody Decker wrote in an affidavit.
The source bought about 28.7 grams of methamphetamine, Decker alleges. During the transaction, Johnson pointed out another quarter-pound of methamphetamine he had with him.
The next month, another confidential source told agents the group was making runs to Colorado to buy meth and fentanyl from a woman known as “CeeCee.”
They said Johnson and others took turns making the trips, hauling large quantities of drugs back to Natrona County to sell. The source claimed to have just returned from one trip with 174 pounds of meth and 2,000 fentanyl pills.
Cox declined to discuss whether investigators corroborated the source's account, saying questions of source credibility and evidentiary corroboration should be evaluated through the court process, but DCI does say “Investigators have verified that suspects were identified traveling to and from Colorado as part of this case."
U-Turns
By June, investigators were watching Johnson closely. Casper Police spotted him June 22 on what they believed was another drug run, tracking his vehicle with a court-authorized device. Two days later, at about 3 a.m., Johnson was headed north on Interstate 25 — but it wasn't a straight drive home.
Investigators said the vehicle would take almost every exit, travel a short distance, turn around and get back onto the interstate.
Agents recognized the maneuver as a counter-surveillance technique known as a “Burn Run,” which they say drug traffickers use to determine whether law enforcement is following them.
The vehicle crossed into Wyoming and continued stopping at numerous exits before eventually reaching Glendo.
There, investigators say it stopped at a gas station, headed south on Highway 319 for several miles, made a U-turn and drove back north.
It then pulled into a secluded spot among the trees near a camping area at Glendo State Park and remained there for about 1½ hours, the affidavit alleges.
After leaving, the vehicle made another abrupt U-turn near North Elkhorn Creek Road and pulled into a field parking area partially obscured by trees.
That's where investigators say it met a dark-colored Chevrolet truck they recognized from their investigation.
The vehicles eventually separated and headed toward Casper.
Two Vehicles, Two Stops
Investigators believed the second vehicle could be part of an effort to switch vehicles or drivers before reaching the drugs' final destination — a technique Decker wrote can be used to dissuade enforcement or protect drugs from seizure.
The second truck exited into Glenrock and traveled toward Casper on U.S. Highway 26 while Johnson's vehicle continued north on Interstate 25.
Agents, assisted by Wyoming Highway Patrol, stopped Johnson's vehicle pursuant to a signed warrant.
Meanwhile, WHP and Casper Police coordinated another traffic stop on the Chevrolet truck along U.S. 26 in Natrona County.
Johnson was arrested on an active felony warrant, the affidavit says.
Investigators say Johnson was read his Miranda rights and told agents there would be approximately “six” ounces in the other truck.
He also said there were no longer any drugs in the vehicle in which he had been riding. Then Johnson began showing signs of an overdose, investigators allege.
He was taken to Wyoming Medical Center and allegedly admitted that immediately before the traffic stop he had eaten both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Meth And Fentanyl
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper and K9 subsequently conducted a free-air sniff around the second truck.
The dog alerted the trooper to the presence of 148 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 8.6 grams of suspected fentanyl pills pressed to resemble M30 oxycodone, and 1.8 grams of suspected fentanyl powder
Cox said DCI isn't treating Johnson's case as an isolated drug arrest.
“Interstate drug trafficking networks introduce immense harm into our neighborhoods, and we will continue to use every resource available to dismantle them,” he said. “While other suspects have been identified and additional controlled substances have been successfully seized during this operation, DCI will not disclose the identities of other individuals suspected or arrested at this time to preserve ongoing investigative priorities and evidentiary integrity.”
That leaves several people identified only by initials in the federal affidavit — as well as the alleged Colorado supplier — publicly unnamed.
Johnson's initial appearance Monday will be the first scheduled hearing listed on the federal docket since the warrant was executed.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
