Federal and local authorities in the Phoenix area have seized nearly 100,000 fentanyl pills and more than 20 pounds of fentanyl powder in just two law enforcement actions. This quantity of the Schedule II drug could potentially cause more than 5 million fatal overdoses.
On August 10, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), working with local Arizona police, reportedly apprehended three men attempting to sell 50,000 fentanyl pills in the Phoenix area, according to Border Report. Only days later, on August 17, Gila County law enforcement reported seizing 49,500 fentanyl pills and 22.88 pounds of fentanyl powder during a traffic stop in Payson on the previous day. Payson is about 90 minutes away of Phoenix.
Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd reported that two women were arrested after law enforcement discovered and seized the fentanyl concealed in a backpack. The illicit drugs “had a street value of approximately” $1.5 million, according to law enforcement.
In a press release posted to social media, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office reported that both suspects are from California. The vehicle was stopped due to a civil traffic violation.
