Chicago Man's Arrest Unveils Fentanyl Cache Capable of Devastating Entire Cities

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NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WGN) Authorities in Naperville have charged a local resident with drug trafficking after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing 1,000 fentanyl pills that was meant for him.

Ahmad Dinah, aged 30, is now facing serious felony charges, including trafficking a controlled substance, unlawful possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a controlled substance.

According to DuPage County prosecutors, the suspicious package was intercepted by USPS at their Chicago facility on Monday, November 3. Postal inspectors were alerted to its contents by a detection dog, and the parcel, originating from Anaheim, California, was addressed to Dinah.

Upon obtaining a search warrant, investigators discovered the package contained around 1,000 fentanyl tablets.

Days later, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, authorities delivered that same package to Dinah’s residence in the 1100 block of Iroquois Avenue in Naperville. Amid what authorities called a “controlled delivery,” police witnessed Dinah retrieve the package and return to his apartment.

Prosecutors allege that police placed a GPS device and a wire inside the packaging, which transmitted a signal to detectives when Dinah opened it.

Ahmad Dinah

Naperville police searched Dinah’s apartment shortly thereafter. A search revealed that Dinah had opened the package containing the fentanyl tablets and removed the drugs, which authorities say they later discovered on a sink, wrapped in transparent, air-sealed plastic.

Officers then arrested Dinah.

“The amount of fentanyl Mr. Dinah allegedly possessed is enough to kill entire cities, and I commend the Naperville Police Department for their outstanding, proactive efforts not only on this case, but for their steadfast commitment to ridding our communities of those who peddle this poison,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

“These tablets contained over 115 grams of fentanyl—115 grams of fentanyl can kill over 157,000 people. Who knows how many lives were saved, but I feel very confident in saying that keeping these tablets off the street absolutely saved lives in this county.”

A judge denied Dinah pre-trial release. He is due back in court on Friday, Nov. 21. If convicted, Dinah faces a sentence of 18-20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.