The Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office Interdiction Team and Traverse Narcotics Team - working in coordination with multiple local and state agencies - arrested a 19-year-old Muskegon Heights man this week in what authorities are calling a “significant” case that resulted in the seizure of over $50,000 in drugs.

Authorities arrested Ziayre Alontae Turner Tuesday as he was leaving a Blair Township residence following a months-long investigation that started with a tip and included surveillance of the residence. Turner had one pound of crystal meth, 44 grams of cocaine, 71 grams of a fentanyl/heroin/meth mixture, and $1,500 in cash on him (pictured). One pound of crystal meth equals 454 grams, or over 400 doses, according to authorities. The drugs had a street value of over $50,000. 

Turner, who is currently being held at the Grand Traverse County Jail, was also out on bond for a pistol-whipping incident in Manistee County. Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office Captain Randy Fewless said at a press conference Thursday that authorities believe Turner “had been transportating drugs to the region for some time,” and that his arrest will put a “serious dent” in the current drug supply to the region.

Turner is facing three 20-year felony charges related to possession and distribution of drugs, though authorities noted additional charges could be forthcoming as the investigation continues. More arrests could be made in the case, particularly if Turner is willing to cooperate with authorities and provide actionable information. Fewless said that at just 19 years old, Turner is “basically throwing his life away” and facing significant jail time.

Stephen VerDow, a U.S. DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge out of Grand Rapids, warned that the purity of drugs being brought to northern Michigan is “much higher” than has been seen in the past. If there continues to be a demand for such drugs in the local market, he said, dealers will continue to take the risk of “driving up the road with it” from downstate. “The money that can be made is significant,” he said.

Grand Traverse County Sheriff Tom Bensley said the case “clearly emphasizes the level of drug activity in Grand Traverse County.” He noted the arrest was the second that has been made of a downstate drug dealer operating locally in two weeks. In the other case, authorities are investigating a local overdose death that is possibly connected to drugs distributed by that dealer. Bensley said the drug problem is “rampant” in northern Michigan and repeated previous requests he’s made for more funding for his department, saying the department’s efforts to combat drug activity were “hampered by not getting additional personnel” needed to staff a full-time interdiction team.