The Citrus County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office recently seized a huge amount of fentanyl that could have claimed the lives of 3 million people.
According to authorities, they received information in February about a multi-county fentanyl drug trafficking ring. Several local and federal agencies are working together on the case, Fox 13 reported. Reported Saturday.
During the investigation, agents searched a home in Homosassa and two other locations in Pasco County. At the Homosassa home, officers found more than 13 pounds of fentanyl, about 150 grams of methamphetamine, 22 firearms, three of which were stolen, and more than $10,000 in cash.
Joint operation results in largest fentanyl seizure in CCSO historyhttps://t.co/fHHUq11wwO#CCSO #CCSOTIU
1726 pic.twitter.com/e56hd3mZgl— Sheriff Citrus (@SheriffCitrus) August 17, 2024
On social media post On Saturday, the sheriff’s office announced that the “joint operation resulted in the largest fentanyl seizure in CCSO history.”
The fentanyl seized came in a variety of forms, including pressed kilogram “bricks” stamped with the organization’s trademark, as well as thousands of fentanyl pills stamped to resemble prescription opioids such as 10 mg oxycodone and “Percocet.”
These counterfeit pills coincide with a DEA public safety alert that found six in 10 counterfeit fentanyl-laced prescription pills contained lethal amounts of fentanyl, meaning anyone who buys prescription drugs outside of legitimate pharmacies could be unknowingly ingesting a lethal dose of fentanyl.
The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at $735,000.
“Today’s operation has removed enough fentanyl from our streets to kill over three million people,” Sheriff Prendergast said.
Authorities noted the investigation is still ongoing.
Joint Operation Results in Largest Fentanyl Seizure in CCSO History In February of this year, law enforcement received information regarding a drug trafficking operation spanning multiple counties. Detectives from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Impact Unit, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office immediately met to develop a strategy to systematically dismantle the organization. As the investigation progressed, the agencies worked together, conducted surveillance, gathered intelligence, and utilized undercover techniques to establish probable cause for search warrants in both counties. Thanks to excellent teamwork, on August 15, 2024, after a seven-month investigation, probable cause was established to execute search warrants at a residence in Homosassa and two additional locations in Pasco County. The search warrants in Homosassa resulted in the seizure of the following narcotics: 1. Fentanyl (more than 6 kilograms or 13 pounds)2. Methamphetamine (approximately 150 grams)3. 22 firearms (3 of which were stolen)4. $10,808 in cashThe fentanyl seized came in a variety of forms, including pressed kilogram “bricks” stamped with the organization’s trademarks, and thousands of fentanyl pills stamped to resemble prescription opioids such as 10 mg oxycodone or “Percocet.” These counterfeit pills were consistent with a DEA public safety alert, which found that 6 in 10 fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. This means that anyone who buys prescription drugs outside of a legitimate pharmacy could be unknowingly ingesting a lethal dose of fentanyl. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at $735,000. “This single operation took enough fentanyl off the streets to kill over 3 million people,” Sheriff Prendergast said. “On Thursday, while the press conference on the drug lab was taking place, our TIU was executing this warrant. We will never tolerate drug trafficking in Citrus County. Thanks to this unified effort with our local, state and federal partners, another illegal drug ring has been shut down. I continue to keep the promise I made on my first day as Sheriff: illegal drugs will not be tolerated in Citrus County.” This is still an ongoing investigation and the suspect’s name and address will not be released at this time. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has strong working relationships with our local, state and federal partners that allow us to successfully complete cases like this. CCSO currently has two members of our Tactical Impact Unit assigned to the Homeland Security Incident (HSI) Task Force, which has proven to be a force multiplier as demonstrated in this case. #CCSO #CCSOTIU 1726
Contributor Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Saturday, August 17, 2024
Meanwhile, Breitbart News reported that a recent traffic stop in Roswell, Georgia, uncovered 60,000 doses of fentanyl.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention in July, Ann Funder, whose 15-year-old son died from fentanyl poisoning, said President Joe Biden (Democrat) and Vice President Kamala Harris (Democrat) were to blame for the tragic loss, according to Breitbart News.
“My family and I were living in Southern California when President Biden took office and the border was opened,” she said, before adding, “I believe Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (what a joke on the ‘border czar’), Gavin Newsom and all Democrats who support open borders are responsible for my son’s death.”
