Racine man arrested after allegedly tossing $80K worth of illegal drugs from vehicle

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Racine man is facing charges after allegedly leading deputies on a pursuit and throwing approximately $80,000 worth of illegal drugs from his car window.

Winnebago County officials attempted to stop the man just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, but he fled the scene, traveling on Highway 41 and entering Fond du Lac County, according to authorities. When a Fond du Lac deputy attempted to stop the driver near Townline Road, the suspect reportedly increased his speed. 

During the pursuit, deputies noticed a white bag thrown from the vehicle. The bag was recovered and was found to contain five Ziploc bags of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and three bags of cocaine.

The vehicle eventually lost control in Dodge County and crashed near Quad Graphics, stopping on the railroad tracks west of Highway 41. Officials say the driver then fled the scene on foot. 

Deputies and K-9 Iro located the man, a 28-year-old from Racine, hiding in tall grass close to the area.

Deputies located a loaded handgun and digital scale inside the suspect vehicle.

Authorities say the suspected fentanyl pills had a total weight of 297 grams and are estimated to be around 2,500 individual pills. The suspected cocaine weighed 84 grams.

The suspect was taken into custody and is being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail with pending charges of fleeing/eluding an officer, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, first degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. 

An investigation is ongoing.