TEXAS — Two men were arrested following a months-long, multi-county narcotics manufacturing and distribution investigation, according to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Tom Selman said the investigation determined that Darryl Dewayne Mask, 24, of Lufkin, was selling fentanyl pills. Authorities said controlled purchases were made from Mask in Lufkin, including one instance in which Mask allegedly instructed a buyer to meet him in the Lufkin Middle School parking lot while school was in session.
After warrants were issued on Jan. 13, deputies arrested Darryl Mask at apartments off Daniel McCall Drive. Selman said Mask was armed with a Taurus .40-caliber pistol at the time of his arrest. Deputies also found K2 and cocaine in his vehicle. Because Mask is a convicted felon, an unlawful possession of a firearm charge was filed in addition to drug-related charges.
As the investigation continued, Selman said evidence pointed to a fentanyl pill manufacturing operation in Houston County. Adriyel Demille Mask, 41, of Kennard, was identified as the suspect. A search warrant was obtained for a residence located between Ratcliff and Kennard off County Road 4700.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the warrant and deputies began surveillance of the property. Authorities said Adriyel Mask left the residence in a Dodge Charger and was stopped by Houston County deputies. According to Selman, deputies found a large quantity of methamphetamine and a .44 magnum revolver in the vehicle. He was taken into custody.
Angelina County and Houston County deputies later executed the search warrant at the residence. Selman said officers discovered an operational commercial-grade pill press, boxes of precursor and raw materials, die sets used to form fentanyl pills, scales, contaminated plasticware for mixing, a pill tumbler, completed fentanyl pills, marijuana, MDMA, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, liquid PCP, and a 9mm pistol reported stolen from Houston.
Selman stated investigators believe a large amount of the fentanyl being illegally sold in Angelina and Houston counties originated from the Mask manufacturing operation. A hazardous materials disposal unit from Houston was called to the scene to secure and safely handle the seized materials.
Darryl Mask is facing charges with bonds totaling $57,500. Adriyel Mask’s bonds total more than $500,000. Both men are currently being held in the Angelina County Jail.
