AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
DATE: September 5, 2024
TIME:
CASE NUMBER: 24-510918
INCIDENT TYPE: Drug Trafficking
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sgt. Carla Burr-PIO
DETAILS:
During June of 2024 members of the P.A.C.E. (Proactive Criminal Enforcement) Unit conducted a joint investigation with DEA into the drug trafficking activities of two suspects reported to be obtaining Fentanyl from sources outside of Texas and transporting it back to Amarillo to be distributed. On July 3, 2024, members of the P.A.C.E. Unit received information these two suspects were traveling back to Amarillo from Oklahoma City and conducted a traffic stop on their vehicle when they arrived back in Amarillo. During a search of the vehicle, officers located approximately 22 grams of Fentanyl powder in a false Sprite can. Officers also learned from this investigation the suspects bring in fentanyl from Oklahoma City and Albuquerque in quantities of up to 2-3 thousand pills at a time. Both suspects were released pending further investigation. This information was presented to a federal grand jury, and they issued indictments and warrants for both suspect for the charges of Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute. On September 1, 2024, P.A.C.E. officer located Jacob NEWBY, male, 10-19-1991 and Lilith PAPARO-PRIETO, female, 9-13-1994 and arrested them for the above charges. The two were booked into the Potter County Jail.
