2 Charged, Accused Of Attempting To Smuggle Fentanyl Into Jail

The Oklahoma County District Attorney filed charges against a former inmate and her accomplice.

Court documents said the two were attempting to bring the fentanyl into the jail. 

Jordan Keith and Terrance Burmood have both been formally charged.

Last October, mailroom employees said they came across two packages addressed to Jordan Keith. Jail Trust CEO Brandi Garner said they were presented as legal mail.

“We can't open mail that's marked legal mail without a reason to do so. It has to be open within the presence of the inmate. In this case, we were just able to identify that there was something off with it,” Garner said.

The post stamps from Colorado raised some red flags.

“Every piece of legal mail that comes in, we're notifying the attorney, but we're also following whoever sent the mail and asking them did they legitimately send a piece of mail to whoever is in our custody,” Garner said.

The probable cause affidavit said an investigator found several pills hidden inside one package. The other package had a card that appeared to be discolored. OSBI tested the contents from both packages, and they came back positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine.

“It would kill dozens of people,” Garner said.

Inside the package was also information linking investigators to the sender, Terrance Burmood. Jail phone records show Keith had been calling him from inside the jail.

Once Burmood is in custody, he will face charges along with Keith. Garner said the jail is undergoing a restructuring process which includes mail scanning to catch things like this. Inmates will receive their mail digitally.

“It'll allow my staff to have more time to really scrutinize the mail that is coming in, which is legal mail and packages,” Garner said.

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What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is an opioid that can be prescribed to patients battling severe pain. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, it is 100 times stronger than morphine.

Fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the US, according to the CDC.

Fentanyl is produced and prescribed as a medicine, but it is also made illegally and laced into other illegal drugs, often without the user knowing it’s there. 

“It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency,” the CDC says. “which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.”

Fentanyl Overdoses On The Rise

Fentanyl overdoses have been steadily on the rise since 2017, according to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. In 2017, the BNDDC reports 54 fentanyl overdoses, 39 for 2018, 54 for 2019, 137 for 2020, 299 for 2021 and 474 for 2022.

In comparison, overdoses by any drug have gone up slightly, but not as steeply as overdoses from fentanyl.

To combat overdoses, the CDC recommends using test strips to detect fentanyl to avoid an overdose.

Image Provided By: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control

Where Does Fentanyl Come From?

Illegal fentanyl is primarily manufactured in China and Mexico, according to the DEA. Fentanyl from China is typically sent through international main and consignment operations, according to the DEA. Fentanyl from Mexico is typically smuggled across the border into California and Arizona, the DEA states.

It is often suggested that fentanyl comes over the Mexico border with illegal immigrants, it is more often smuggled by US citizens, according to the Department of Justice. 

“Drug trafficking organizations will use anyone they can to help them with their dangerous and illegal activities, including regular border crossers as well as teens in the hopes that they won’t arouse suspicion,” the DOJ stated.

Fentanyl Seizures

Occurrences of authorities seizing fentanyl in Oklahoma have gone up in recent years, according to the BNDCC. In 2018, authorities did not seize any fentanyl, in 2019 they seized half a pound, in 2020 it was two pounds, by 2021 the number spiked to 18, and 2022 had a whopping 127 pounds.

However, the seizure of other drugs have gone up consistently with fentanyl, the BNDCC’s data shows. Meth saw a similar climb from 2018, 301 pounds seized, to 2022 with 3,492 pounds seized. The same was seen with marijuana, 1588 pounds seized in 2018, to 55736 pounds in 2022.

Image Provided By: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control

Influence In Other Criminal Activity

Investigations of illegal drugs in Oklahoma has led to the identification of brothels, illegal casinos, other drug production and distribution and labor trafficking. According to the BNDCC, drug trafficking organizations have ties with sex and labor trafficking and money laundering.

What To Do During An Overdose

Fentanyl overdoses are extremely dangerous and require medical treatment. The American Addiction Centers advises that someone call 911 immediately. The AAC says overdoses can include small pupils, shallow breathing, cold skin, pale skin, blue or purple lips or fingers, no breathing, unconsciousness, limp limbs, slurred speech or inability to speak, unresponsiveness, vomiting, or choking.

AAC says to follow these steps if you believe someone is having a fentanyl overdose:

1. Call 911
2. Administer naloxone. Naloxone is used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose. There is an injectable solution and a nasal spray. Naloxone may need to be administered more than once.
3. Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.
4. Stay with the person and monitor their breathing until medical assistance.