Grand Rapids Drug Bust Seizes Record $1M in Fentanyl, Cocaine

A major drug bust in Grand Rapids led by the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) resulted in the seizure of over $1 million worth of narcotics, including 11 pounds of cocaine and 1.7 pounds of fentanyl, as well as a loaded handgun. Authorities highlighted that the quantity of fentanyl seized could potentially kill more than half the population of Kent County, underscoring the severity of the drug crisis in the region. Byron Lamar Swain, a 33-year-old Grand Rapids man with a lengthy history of drug offenses, was arrested and faces multiple felony charges, including life-altering drug and weapons offenses. The operation was the result of persistent and coordinated efforts by KANET, with officials emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl in the community and the importance of targeted enforcement. Swain reportedly admitted to possessing the drugs and firearm, stating he was holding the cocaine for another party in exchange for compensation. Law enforcement officials lauded the bust as a significant step in saving lives and curbing the distribution of deadly substances in the area.