On May 5, 2024, The Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office initiated a vehicle stop on Hwy 17 North, in reference to a 2024 Hyundai Tuscon due to speeding.
Before the vehicle stop, a Deputy witnessed the driver throw an object out of the car window. Al Esteban Ortiz, 47 years old, of the 800-block of Briarwood Rd., Elizabeth City, North Carolina was identified as the driver. During the vehicle stop, Currituck County K9, “Omar,” alerted Deputies of the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. As a result of the traffic stop, approximately 185 grams of fentanyl was seized.
Ortiz became the focal point of the investigation when Investigators determined that he (Ortiz) was supplying fentanyl in Elizabeth City and surrounding areas. The investigation revealed that Ortiz was using the previously described vehicle to transport the fentanyl from New York to Elizabeth ty, where he would package and sell the fentanyl.
Ortiz was arrested on sone and is confined in Albemarle District Jail under a $1,000,000.00
secured bond for the following charges:
- 1 Felony Count-Trafficking Fentanyl by transportation
- 1 Felony Count-Trafficking Fentanyl by possession
- 1 Felony Count-Trafficking Fentanyl by manufacturing
- 1 Felony Count-Possession with intent to sell/deliver Schedule II
- 1 Felony Count-Maintaining a vehicle to store a controlled substance
- 1 Misdemeanor Count-Failure to heed light or Siren
- 1 Misdemeanor Count-Littering not more than 15lbs
- 1 Misdemeanor Count-Speeding
The Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office, Currituck County Sheriff’s Office K9 ‘Omar’, and Chesapeake Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.