More than half a pound of fentanyl seized after car chase

Bay County Sheriff's Deputies have removed more than half a pound of powdered fentanyl from the streets after a car chase Wednesday.

Deputies say around 8:30 a.m., a deputy was driving on Highway 77 when a vehicle switched lane abruptly, nearly hitting the deputy. The deputy reportedly pulled the vehicle over and got a Texas ID from the driver. The deputy says when he went back to his car to check the ID, the driver took off.

Deputies soon spotted the car on Resoto Beach Road, where a short chase happened and the suspect's car was driven into a ditch. Deputies say the driver tried to run away from the scene, but was caught.

The suspect is Amador Mendez, Junior, 33. He had a local outstanding warrant.

Deputies say when they searched the car, they found a brief case with more than half a pound of fentanyl inside. The Bay County Sheriff's Office says there were 78,000 fatal doses in that brief case.

Mendez is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, fleeing and eluding police at a high speed, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a violation of probation for a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.