MS Coast business owner admits to selling agents enough fentanyl to kill 28,000 people
A Pass Christian man pleaded guilty Monday to selling enough of the prescription painkiller fentanyl to kill over 28,000 people, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In addition, Carter Tranh Tran, 43, admitted trafficking marijuana after authorities found 27 pounds of pot at his home and business.
At the time, Tran owned a convenience store in the 20 block of Pass Road in Gulfport, according to court records.
Tran pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
An investigation began in 2018 after authorities got information about Tran using his store and home to sell narcotics.
On Aug. 29, 2018, court records say Tran sold what authorities first thought were 100 doses of the painkiller Percocet and 128 doses of Adderall, the prescription attention deficit disorder medication .
The undercover agents paid $900 for the drugs during the transaction that took place outside a Biloxi bar.
After the drugs were tested, authorities determined the Percocet was actually methamphetamine and what was labeled Adderal was actually fentanyl.
Tran is facing a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of $1 million.
His sentencing is set Sept. 28 before Judge Sul Ozerden in federal court in Gulfport.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Williams prosecuted the case.
Gulfport police and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Editor’s note: The original headline posted on this story said Tran was sentenced. Tran has only pleaded guilty and the headline was updated to reflect that.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 12:17 PM.
