Macomb man charged in state’s largest fentanyl bust

Willis, known as ‘Blue,’ had other drugs, cash and a gun, records show

A Macomb County man is in jail today after being arrested in what Livonia police said was the largest seizure of fentanyl ever in Michigan.

Barry Anthony Willis, 55, of Clinton Township, is accused of possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, according to a criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Investigators say during a search of Detroit properties owned by Willis, they found in excess of 90 pounds of fentanyl, more than six pounds of cocaine, a pill press, drug packaging materials, scales, a handgun, and $150,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

Police said that fentanyl has a street value of about $4.5 million.

“This investigation started back in September with a traffic stop by a Livonia officer,” Livonia police Capt. Greg Yon told reporters Tuesday. “Our officers worked this all the way up until the end of the case.”

Todd Perkins, Willis’ defense attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to police and court records, a cooperating individual told Livonia police that Willis — known as “Blue” — was involved with selling and distributing heroin in late September, according to a Detroit Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer’s affidavit in the complaint.

Court documents state the officer and Livonia police arranged for the person to carry out a controlled buy in February, where they entered Willis’ Jeep Gladiator and purchased suspected heroin with pre-recorded buy funds.

The suspected heroin tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, authorities said. Livonia police followed Willis after the meeting to Littlefield Street in Detroit shortly after. The Li