CARTERSVILLE, GA — A traffic stop in Cartersville led to the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker and the recovery of fentanyl that police say had the potential to cause more than 8,000 overdose deaths.

Cartersville police say officers stopped a vehicle for an expired registration and recognized passenger Jacobi Wilkey as a known drug trafficker.

Police say Wilkey attempted to run away but was quickly apprehended.

Investigators say Wilkey was in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Police say he obtained the drugs in the metro Atlanta area and intended to distribute them in Cartersville.

Based on statistics from the Drug Enforcement Administration, police say the amount of fentanyl recovered during the investigation had the potential to cause more than 8,000 overdose deaths.

Wilkey is charged with trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine and obstruction of law enforcement for attempting to flee.

WSB Radio’s Bill Caiaccio contributed to this story.