LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) – A fentanyl drug dealer was sentenced in federal court.

U.S. Attorney Scott Leary announced that 35-year-old Joshua Wilson was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison after pleading to the distribution of hundreds of fentanyl pills.

“Our families must stay vigilant. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that is roughly 50 times stronger than heroin, and dramatically stronger than oxycodone. It is mass produced in China and generally shipped to Mexico to be trafficked into our country by the cartels. Fentanyl kills thousands of Americans every year. Often people think they are buying prescription drugs on the black market, when in reality they are purchasing pressed fentanyl, extremely potent. And as I said, the result is thousands of overdoses. Pills are not recreational! Remember to talk to your kids about the danger. We proudly support DEA’s campaign of ‘One Pill Can Kill’ as we continue the fight against fentanyl. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is the gold standard, thank you and great work. As always, the United States Marshal service is fantastic.”

Wilson was initially picked up in Operation Road Runner in Lowndes County, which was a sting operation involving the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA.

Leary said that fentanyl is about 50 times stronger than heroin.

Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said that fentanyl continues to pose a serious threat to the community, adding that his investigators will continue to pursue those who choose to distribute it.