On September 7th, 2024, an ordinary traffic stop turned into a significant drug-related arrest in Akron. What began with an officer pulling over a silver Chevrolet Malibu for failing to stop at a stop sign and having heavily dark tinted windows quickly escalated after officers found an unexpected substance that would change the course of the encounter. The driver, later identified as Billy Ridar, initially believed the substance in question was marijuana, but the results of a field test revealed something much more dangerous. This arrest involved a routine traffic violation and uncovered serious criminal activity.
At around 5:20 PM on September 7th, Akron police officers were on routine patrol when they noticed a silver Chevrolet Malibu fail to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle’s driver, identified later as Billy Ridar, was promptly stopped by officers for this violation. As the officers approached the vehicle, they questioned Ridar, who initially admitted to having a small amount of marijuana in the car. However, the situation soon began to unfold into something far more serious.
When officers began searching the vehicle, Ridar was cooperative at first, agreeing to allow them to check for additional contraband. A small baggie of what Ridar believed to be marijuana was found in the car. When officers asked him about the substance, Ridar claimed that it was for personal use, for rolling in a blunt. However, his explanation would soon be challenged by the results of a field test, which suggested the presence of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a powerful and highly dangerous synthetic opioid, and its presence in the vehicle raised immediate concerns. Officers then conducted a thorough search of the car and continued questioning Ridar about the substance. Ridar repeatedly denied knowing that fentanyl was mixed in with the marijuana. He explained that he had been smoking what he believed to be marijuana for hours and was unaware of any dangerous substances in the baggie.
The test confirmed that the substance tested positive for fentanyl, which is not only illegal but also highly lethal, even in tiny amounts. Despite Ridar’s insistence that he had never knowingly used fentanyl, the police had no choice but to arrest him on multiple drug-related charges. The charges included possession of a fentanyl-related compound, possession of drugs (heroin), and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ridar, who was detained and later transferred to jail, was informed that he would have a chance to make a bond request after the weekend. In a final exchange with officers, he expressed regret, stating that he didn’t know the substance contained fentanyl. His worry about the consequences of the incident was evident, as he had been exposed to the dangers of fentanyl without even realizing it.
This case underscores the growing concern surrounding fentanyl, a substance that has claimed countless lives across the country and serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by street drugs that are often laced with deadly substances.
