ORANGEVILLE — Stephenson County authorities arrested a Freeport man in possession of suspected fentanyl.

On May 21 at approximately 7:59 p.m., deputies assigned to the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The vehicle stopped in a parking lot of a gas station, located near the intersection of Illinois 26 and W. High St, in Orangeville. A Sheriff’s Office K-9 was utilized to conduct a free-air sniff around the outside of the vehicle during the traffic stop.

The K-9 alerted to the exterior of the vehicle indicating the possible presence of a controlled substance. Michael Griffin, 43, Freeport, who was a passenger of the vehicle, was arrested shortly thereafter.

A Crime Suppression Unit Deputy located approximately 7.5 grams of suspected fentanyl concealed in Griffin’s waistband. Following a review of this case by the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Griffin has been charged with the felony offenses of Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl and Possession of a Controlled Substance, along with a misdemeanor charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Griffin was booked at the Stephenson County Jail and released with a court date under the provisions of the Pre-trial Safe-T Act.