HAMMOND — The Hammond Police Department, along with deputies from Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and Ponchatoula Police Department officers, recently arrested a Ponchatoula man allegedly in possession of “green fentanyl” and other drugs.
Officials spent seven months investigating the case. Hammond Police officers say they learned that 37-year-old Roy “Rory” Metz was allegedly distributing fentanyl (specifically green fentanyl) in Hammond and Ponchatoula. On Nov. 5, the multi-agency operation arrested Metz and others.
Hammond officers say Metz did drive off and try to escape but was quickly found and arrested. During the alleged escape, Metz allegedly threw out suspected fentanyl, which officers did recover. Officers added he also had a large amount of money on him at the time.
With warrants, agents searched multiple homes that Metz allegedly used in his operation. They discovered the following:
- 35 grams of suspected fentanyl (approximate)
- Stolen off-road vehicle
- Handgun (loaded)
- Suspected marijuana
- Drug paraphernalia
- U.S. currency
After his arrest, Metz was booked at the Hammond City Jail.
If you have information on someone possessing and/or selling illegal narcotics or firearms, contact the Hammond Police Department Narcotics Division at 985-277-5700.
Green Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a very deadly drug that is being laced in several other types of narcotics including heroin, pills, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, per Hammond Police. Green fentanyl has started to emerge on the Northshore and in the Greater New Orleans area, per DEA and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Here’s what you should know about green fentanyl:
- Appearance: This new form of fentanyl varies in shades of green and has the consistency of sidewalk chalk, gel, or a tar-like form. According to law enforcement, it can be easily mistaken for cannabis or other less potent drugs.
- Extreme Potency: Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, approximately 50 times more potent than heroin. A lethal dose for a typical adult can be as low as two milligrams, the equivalent of just two grains of salt.
- Rising Overdoses: The emergence of this green fentanyl has been linked to a recent spike in opioid-related emergency calls on the Northshore, prompting an immediate drug warning in Tangipahoa Parish.
It’s critical to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose. If you witness someone exhibiting the following symptoms, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (also known as Narcan) if available:
- Severe sleepiness or the person cannot be woken up
- Breathing is slow or absent
- Snoring or gurgling noises
- Cold, clammy skin
- Lips and fingers are blue or grey
- Pupils are tiny
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