Los Angeles Police Department seizes enough fentanyl to potentially kill 11 million people in a major drug bust, highlighting the city’s growing opioid crisis. LAPD were able to seize over 50 pounds of powdered fentanyl including black tar heroin in South Los Angeles. The estimated value of the confiscated drugs was well over $4 million. With fentanyl overdose deaths rising every year, Governor Gavin Newsom has plans to combat these numbers.
Massive Fentanyl Seizure Rocks Los Angeles
In a significant blow to the illicit drug trade, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has conducted a major narcotics sweep, resulting in the seizure of over 50 pounds of powdered fentanyl and 9 pounds of black tar heroin. The operation, which took place near downtown Los Angeles, led to the arrest of 28-year-old Jose Alberto Soto on suspicion of selling fentanyl. This substantial haul, with an estimated street value exceeding $4 million, underscores the severity of the opioid crisis gripping the city.
The LAPD’s successful operation was part of a broader narcotics investigation that culminated in the execution of a search warrant in the Florence-Graham neighborhood of South Los Angeles. In addition to the drugs, investigators also seized $14,500 in cash. The department, using figures from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), estimates that the amount of fentanyl confiscated could potentially kill more than 11 million people, highlighting the extreme danger this synthetic opioid poses to public health.
@lapdcentral Narcotics Enforcement Detail, @LAPDRampart NED and Cent GIT, conducted a search warrant which resulted in a seizure of 50 lbs of #fentanyl & 9 pounds of #heroin. That’s over $4 million street value & enough to kill 11 million people. pic.twitter.com/0awRxBP8wF
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) October 17, 2024
California’s Escalating Battle Against Fentanyl
The LAPD’s recent success is part of a larger, statewide effort to combat the fentanyl epidemic. California has seen a dramatic increase in fentanyl seizures, with a record 62,224 pounds confiscated in 2023 – a staggering 1066% increase since 2021. This amount is enough to potentially kill the global population nearly twice over, illustrating the scale of the crisis facing law enforcement and public health officials.
“Fentanyl is a poison, and it does not belong in our communities. California is cracking down – increasing seizures, expanding access to substance abuse treatment, and holding drug traffickers accountable to combat the immeasurable harm opioids have caused our communities,” Governor Gavin Newsom stated.
Governor Gavin Newsom has taken decisive action to address this crisis, increasing the number of California National Guard service members at U.S. ports of entry by approximately 50% to combat drug smuggling. The state has invested $30 million to expand the California National Guard’s drug interdiction efforts and over $1 billion since 2019 to address opioid trafficking, overdoses, and support for those with opioid use disorders.
The Deadly Impact of Fentanyl
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly stronger than heroin and morphine, has legitimate medical uses but has become a scourge due to its widespread illicit use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 75,000 people died from fentanyl overdoses last year, with over 150 daily deaths attributed to synthetic opioid overdoses. These alarming statistics underscore the critical importance of law enforcement efforts like the LAPD’s recent bust in stemming the tide of this deadly epidemic.
“The California National Guard is committed to combatting the scourge of fentanyl,” said Major General Matthew P. Beevers, Adjutant General of the California National Guard. “These extraordinary seizure statistics are a direct reflection of the tireless efforts of the highly trained CalGuard Service Members supporting law enforcement agencies statewide.”
As part of the state’s comprehensive approach to tackling the fentanyl crisis, Governor Newsom has implemented a Master Plan that includes a $30 million CalRx effort to develop and distribute a naloxone nasal product. This life-saving medication can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, providing a crucial tool in the fight against this deadly epidemic. The LAPD’s recent success, combined with these broader state initiatives, represents a significant step forward in protecting public health and safety from the ravages of fentanyl and other dangerous opioids.
As far as illegal drugs go, the only people to blame are those “Running” our country, from Biden on down to governors, mayors and the rest of the commies in charge. Get rid of all of them and we might have a chance but after the open border policy it could take years.