Man Arrested; Over 2-Pounds of Suspected Fentanyl Pills Seized Following Report of Found “M30” Pills 

May 22, 2025 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Monday, May 5, 2025, just before 7:30 a.m., deputies responded to a report of found “M30” narcotic pills in the area of People of the Mountain Road near Highway 108.

Following an investigation, deputies identified 34-year-old Samuel Westphal of Modesto, as the individual who had been in possession of the found pills, which appeared to be counterfeit Oxycodone “M30,” pills - commonly known to contain fentanyl.  A search of Westphal’s belongings and vehicle uncovered several items of drug use paraphernalia and two bags containing over two pounds of suspected fentanyl pills. Westphal was arrested and transported to the Dambacher Detention Center, where he was booked on charges related to drug sales and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The seized fentanyl pills weighed over 959 grams (approximately two pounds), qualifying for a 7-year sentencing enhancement (an increase in the severity of his potential penalty) under Health and Safety Code §11370.4—a law approved by California voters in 2024 through Proposition 36, which increases penalties for fentanyl and other drug offenses involving large quantities.

The attached video includes footage from the arrest and images of the suspected fentanyl “M30” pills.

View video here.

We urge the public to remain aware of the dangers posed by fentanyl and counterfeit pills and to continue to report suspicious drug activity by calling our non-emergency line at (209) 533-5815 or our Tuolumne Narcotics Team (TNT) tip line at (209) 533-5884.

For more information on counterfeit pills, please see the Drug Enforcement Administration’s publication, click here.

Source & photos: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office