Suspect 'fought for hours': Heroin/fentanyl mix, $100K cash seized in bust

Law enforcement officials have seized 21 pounds of heroin/fentanyl mixture and $100,000 following an investigation.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that either is mixed into heroin or sold as is on the streets. It's being more widely used because it's cheaper than heroin. It's also easier to transport without detection because it's concentrated. Fentanyl is at least 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Anthony Penny, 29, has been charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and assault on a federal law enforcement officer, according to Cincinnati police. Two other people were arrested in the investigation but they have not been named.

"I've never seen anything like it, I've never seen anyone fight like Mr. Penny did, with law enforcement," DEA Agent Tim Reagan said. "It took seven agents and officers from District 4 and my office to subdue him. And he fought for hours."

Reagan said it was all captured on body camera.

"Our officers were spit on, our officers were bit, they were punched, they were kicked," said Reagan. "And this was all while he was in handcuffs."

Penny was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for his own safety.

"Once at UC, the doctors, the nurses and the staff that work security there were spit on, were bit," said Reagan. "This man fought for hours because he knew what we had seized."

Multiple search warrants were served in the investigation conducted by the Cincinnati Police Department District Four Violent Crimes Squad in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Ohio State Patrol, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

"This really highlights the work and the efforts that we're doing in conjunction with our federal partners, our state partners, our local partners," Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said.

More: Documents: Cincinnati fentanyl dealer said he was 'like McDonald's'

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