Fentanyl trafficking case moved up to federal court

A municipal court case involving a woman allegedly caught with more than two pounds of fentanyl in her car was dismissed Wednesday and will be kicked up to federal court.

Mavis Horton, 51, of North Carolina was caught speeding in South Boston in April. State police towed the 2007 Toyota Avalon she was driving and upon taking inventory of the vehicle, they allegedly discovered fentanyl in the trunk, where Horton said her luggage was packed.

The heat-sealed brick of white powder was one of the largest seizures of fentanyl “in recent memory within Suffolk County,” according to Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

The 920 grams of fentanyl has a street value of $62,000 to $100,000, according to police and prosecutor Frank Kanin.

On Wednesday, Judge Michael Bolden dismissed the state-level charge and released Horton. She is currently staying with a family friend in Greater Boston. Horton was ordered to surrender her passport upon release, but stated she does not own a passport.

Horton is a private caretaker and has no criminal record in Massachusetts or her home state of North Carolina. She pleaded not guilty to trafficking fentanyl. Horton was also cited for speeding and unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

After being pulled over Horton told state police she was in town visiting family and was on her way back home. Officers noticed her story changed as to when she was coming to Boston and where she was staying. Troopers also noticed she appeared to be nervous, her hands were shaking and “her carotid artery was visibly pulsing at a fast rate.”

David Leon, Horton’s court-appointed lawyer, argued that Horton was driving a car that was not registered to her; therefore, “there’s no indication that she’s even aware of what’s inside this car, including the drugs.” Police also found a suitcase, clothing, handbags and food in the car.