Novato residents linked to fentanyl shipment

Marin County sheriff's investigators arrested the suspects after federal authorities intercepted the package.

Marin County sheriff’s detectives arrested two Novato residents and seized 9,400 pills from their home, most of it suspected to be counterfeit fentanyl, from a Novato residence.

The case began after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security intercepted a package of controlled substances that was shipped from the United Kingdom to the Novato home. Sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant at the residence on Alameda Del Prado, sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn said.

In addition to the alleged fentanyl, which had an estimated street value of up to $50,000, investigators found suspected cocaine, heroin, ketamine and other illegal drugs.

Thomas Maxfield Painter, 30, and Erica Stahl, 33, were arrested on suspicion of numerous drug offenses, Schermerhorn said. Stahl was released on bail Friday, while Painter was cited and released because of medical issues, Schermerhorn said.

Painter and Stahl could not be reached for comment on Monday.