Transportation and Sale of Fentanyl Arrest

On 8/30/2023 at approximately 8 p.m., a Chico Police Officer made an enforcement stop on a driver who was observed committing several vehicle code infractions in the area of Alder St. and E. 6th St. The female driver, identified as Claire Bechard, and male passenger, identified as Christopher Seghetti, were contacted by the officer at the driver’s side window. During the contact, the officer observed drug paraphernalia inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

After the officer’s observations, a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, a large quantity of suspected Fentanyl was found inside the vehicle. Along with the Fentanyl, the officer located scales, packaging, and other items indicative to the sales of a controlled substance. Both Bechard and Seghetti were arrested for transportation of a controlled substance and sale of a controlled substance. The total amount of Fentanyl recovered from the vehicle was 155 grams or 5.4 ounces. The typical user dose consists of .1 gram. The amount recovered from the vehicle is enough for approximately 1,500 doses.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50x stronger than Heroin and up to 100x stronger than Morphine. Fentanyl is illicitly manufactured and extremely dangerous to the user. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, over 150 people in the United States died every day from synthetic opioids like Fentanyl.

Location: Alder and E. 6th St. Chico, CA

Suspects: Claire Bechard, 28 years old Christopher Seghetti 35 years old

Supervisor: Mark Bass, Sergeant

Lieutenant: Ben Love