By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The DEA Narcotics Task Force and the San Diego Police Department seized 38 pounds of methamphetamine and 41,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills off the streets, and two men were taken into custody.
In April of this year, investigators developed information about the transportation of dangerous drugs to the San Diego area.
An operation in May led to the recovery of 9 pounds of methamphetamine. In June, another operation led to the recovery of 10,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills. A second operation that month led to the seizure of 29 pounds of methamphetamine, 31,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, and 600 tabs of MDMA/ecstasy.
Authorities arrested 28-year-old Luis Solorzano-Bautista and 23-year-old Brandon Diaz in connection with the illegal narcotics.
“There is no doubt these drug seizures saved our neighborhoods from overdoses and death.” said
San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. “These types of operations would not be possible without
our partners on the DEA Narcotics Task Force.”
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our agents and partners on the Narcotics Task
Force,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. “The partnerships between our agencies are critical to the success of removing drugs from the streets and holding those who sell the drugs accountable.”
“Counterfeit fentanyl pills” is a term used to describe pills made by an unknown, illicit
manufacturer. These pills often contain fentanyl and other harmful drugs.
The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of ten now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. This is an increase from DEA’s previous announcement in 2021 that four out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills were found to contain a potentially lethal dose, the DEA states.
“More than half of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. This marks a dramatic increase – from four out of ten to six out of ten – in the number of pills that can kill,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.
Last year, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills in American communities. These pills are largely made by two Mexican drug cartels, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Jalisco Cartel, to look identical to real prescription medications, including OxyContin, Percocet, and Xanax, and they are often deadly.
In 2021, the DEA seized more than 20.4 million fake prescription pills. Earlier this year, the DEA conducted a nationwide operational surge to target the trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills and, in just over three months, seized 10.2 million fake pills in all 50 states.
Through its One Pill Can Kill campaign, the DEA is working to alert the American public of the dangers of fake prescription pills.
