Virginia man who ordered fentanyl-laced pills through Snapchat sentenced to prison

ABINGDON, Va. — A Virginia man who pleaded guilty to ordering hundreds of fentanyl-laced pills through a supplier on Snapchat was sentenced to 42 months in prison, federal prosecutors said.

>> Read more trending news

Kobe Malik Woods, 19, of Marion, pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.

According to court documents, authorities in early 2021 began to investigate large amounts of illegal pill distribution in Smyth County, WRIC-TV reported. Police intercepted a package shipped from California that was addressed to Woods’ residence and discovered approximately 800 fentanyl pills, according to the television station.

Prosecutors said in the news release that the seized package contained items that resembled pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone-hydrochloride pills and were inconsistent in shape, size and color. Authorities said that meant the pills were counterfeit.

In June 2021, authorities conducted a controlled delivery of a parcel to Woods’ home, WSET-TV reported. While conducting surveillance on the house, investigators saw a woman take the package into the home, according to the television station.

When investigators executed a search warrant, Woods allegedly tried to escape with the package but was detained a short distance from the home, prosecutors said.

“Throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the nation, individuals are struggling with substance abuse disorder, a disease fueled by those who profit from addiction,” U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said in a statement. “Fentanyl-laced pills pose a significant risk of death to anyone who ingests them, and my office will continue to bring individuals to account for trafficking these deadly drugs in our communities.”

©2022 Cox Media Group