Aurora Police: Nearly 30 grams of fentanyl found during traffic stop

North Vernon man arrested on Dealing charges

(AURORA, Ind.) – A traffic stop in Aurora last week could put one man in jail for decades if he is convicted. 

Aurora Officer Jason Turner stopped a vehicle last Thursday and his K-9 partner detected the order of drugs in the car, according to Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.

Police say a vehicle search led to the discovery of 29 grams of what is believed to be fentanyl. The substances will be sent to the Indiana State Police laboratory for further testing.

50-year-old James Watkins, of North Vernon, was arrested and charged with Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Fentanyl) which is a Level 2 Felony.

Watkins could face 10 to 30 years in prison if convicted. 

“Mr. Watkins is innocent until proven guilty in Court,” said Lynn Deddens. “However, a large amount of fentanyl was taken off the streets.  My office is committed to aggressive prosecution of these kinds of cases in an effort to get drugs out of our community. I want to thank Aurora Police, K-9 Officer Ozzy and the Indiana State Police for the good police work that went into making this arrest.”

Watkins is currently behind bars with bond set at $500,000 cash in addition to $750,000 surety.