TNT Fentanyl Sales Bust 

October 10, 2026 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that the Narcotics Team (TNT) has been conducting a long-term investigation into 40-year-old Matthew Richard Nolte for the transportation and sale of fentanyl from the California Bay Area to Tuolumne County. Through their investigation, TNT Detectives gathered evidence and obtained a search warrant.

During the early morning hours of October 7, 2026, TNT Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Nolte’s vehicle on Highway 108 near Yosemite Junction, utilizing License Plate Reader technology requested from Bay Area and Central Valley agencies. Following the traffic stop, Nolte was detained, and TNT Detectives searched the vehicle. During the search, TNT Detectives located approximately 54.8 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, and a digital scale concealed inside a magnetic container attached to the vehicle.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Nolte was placed under arrest for the following charges:

H&S 11351: Possession of Fentanyl for sale

H&S 11352: Transportation of Fentanyl for sale

H&S 11352(B): Transportation of Fentanyl across multiple counties for sale

H&S 11366.8(a): Use of a false compartment

H&S 11364: Possession of drug paraphernalia

If convicted, Nolte qualifies for a 3-year sentencing enhancement under Proposition 36 (Health and Safety Code 11370.4) for possessing and transporting over 28.5 grams (one ounce) of fentanyl.

PLEASE NOTE: Audio from a recorded Jail call was used in this video

View video here.

Source & photo: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office