BATES CO., Mo. (KCTV) – Two women described as career criminals have been put behind bars after enough fentanyl was found to kill more than 3,000 people during a traffic stop along I-49.

The Bates County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office says that around 11 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, law enforcement officers in the area of ​​I-49 and State Road near Passaic stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.

Law enforcement officials said during the traffic stop, the occupants were identified as Ashley C. Alexander, 39, of Montrose, and Amber R. Jeffries, 40, of Butler. A K-9 unit was called to the scene as the investigation revealed that both women have an extensive narcotics history in the community.

The sheriff’s office indicated that K-9 Griff alerted his handler to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle. A search revealed a fake soda can with a fake compartment containing approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine and 7 grams of fentanyl. Drug paraphernalia could also be heard in the vehicle.

Under state law, possession of 20 milligrams of fentanyl or more is considered first-degree trafficking — a felony. The pair were found to be in possession of over 7,000 milligrams.

The Anti-Drug Administration noted that about 2 milligrams of fentanyl is fatal to the average person. The pair possessed enough fentanyl to kill every person in the towns of Adrian and Rich Hill combined.

“That’s exactly what we mean when we call people career criminals. Fentanyl is killing people at an astronomical rate and we have people like these two continuing to poison our community and children. I want to thank the Deputies and K9 Griff for getting this off the street,” said Sheriff Anderson. “After sentencing, I look forward to delivering them to the Department of Corrections, where I believe they should spend the rest of their lives. These two have had multiple chances to turn their lives around and they’ve just shown that they have no interest.”

The sheriff’s office said Alexander and Jeffries were charged with one count each of first-degree drug trafficking and possession of methamphetamine.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 6, both Alexander and Jeffries remain behind bars on $150,000 bond. Jeffries will face a status hearing at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, while no hearings have been scheduled for Alexander yet. No other information has been released.

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