EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A 31-year-old Evansville man is in custody after authorities say they caught him selling fentanyl, following an extensive investigation that spanned several years.
David Gray was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on Monday on a charge of dealing in fentanyl. His arrest comes after a multi-year investigation led by a joint drug task force. According to law enforcement officials, tips from 2018 to 2025 pointed to a family of drug dealers selling large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in the area.
Investigators say surveillance operations were conducted as a result of these tips, which eventually led to Gray being identified as a key figure in the operation. In March, authorities observed Gray driving from a residence on East Louisiana Street. They say he met with another individual in a separate vehicle, where he was seen reaching into the window. Moments later, investigators followed the other vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, seizing a bag of fentanyl from the driver. The individual reportedly cooperated with authorities, identifying Gray as the source of the fentanyl.
Following the stop, investigators received further information from a confidential informant who claimed that Gray, along with several of his family members, was involved in the fentanyl distribution network. The informant also indicated that Gray was the one running the operation.
With this new information, authorities conducted multiple controlled buys of fentanyl from Gray. Over the course of March, detectives seized a total of 21.5 grams of fentanyl as part of the ongoing investigation.
The arrest of Gray is part of a broader effort by local law enforcement to combat the rise of fentanyl-related drug crimes in the area. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been a driving factor in the increase of overdose deaths nationwide, and its presence in Evansville has raised concerns about public safety.
Gray is currently being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail pending further legal proceedings. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of the drug operation and its connections within the community.
