HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Police are investigating after an apartment fire turned into a narcotics investigation in northeast Harris County.
According to police, the Eastex Fire Department was called to the scene of a heavy fire coming from a two-story townhome around 9 p.m. Wednesday near Hamill Road and West Village Drive.
Firefighters said the fire started in a middle unit and caused the roof to cave in.
By the time firefighters were able to get the flames under control, two units had been completely gutted and a third only had smoke and water damage, authorities said.
Upon entering the third unit to begin cleanup, deputies said they found a large amount of narcotics inside.
Investigators found the following:
- 28.5 pounds of heroin with a street value of about $1.8 million
- 95 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of nearly $838,000
- 1 pound of possible fentanyl
- 4 pounds of possible fentanyl powder
- 1 gram of possible fentanyl residue within a package
- 1 individual 1/2 gram of methamphetamine
- 1 Smith & Wesson AR-15 rifle with two drum style magazines
- 1 Hi-point .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun
- 1 Body Armor vest
No one was injured in the fire. The Harris County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
No one has been arrested. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the people in the case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org.