Skip to content

Tempe, Arizona DEA seize 4.5 million fentanyl pills

Arizona and federal law enforcement say they are going after the Sinaloa Cartel following a massive drug bust in Tempe. Estimates of the seizure included 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3000 pounds of methamphetamine, 135 kilos of cocaine, 140 pounds of fentanyl powder, 149 firearms and $2 million in cash. The total cash value of the seizure is approximately $13 million. 

150 individuals have been charged during this investigation. his investigation is part of DEA’s work in defeating the criminal drug cartels, Sinaloa and Jalisco (CJNG), who continue to drive addiction and drug poisonings in communities nationwide, threatening the safety and health of Americans.  The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for nearly all deadly narcotics flooding into Arizona.[1]

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country and most of the fentanyl is trafficked by the Sinaloa and CJNG Cartels who mass-produce the drug in secret laboratories in Mexico with chemicals sourced largely by China. It is a highly addictive man-made opioid and just milligrams of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a deadly dose. The criminal cartels are mass producing fake pills to look like prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall.  They are also hiding fentanyl in other drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.  Any illicit fentanyl, regardless of color, shape, or size, is dangerous and can be deadly.  [2]

A proposed bill moving through the Arizona legislature right now would allow states to charge dealers with murder if they sell fentanyl to somebody resulting in death. The Federal Administration has issued sanctions on key members of Mexican cartels that had provided chemicals for the production of fentanyl.  

Our communities need help to spread the word and save lives. Families are encouraged to talk to their loved ones about the dangers of fentanyl and opioid addiction. More information can be found on DEA website ‘One Pill Can Kill (dea.gov)’.

There are treatment options for opiate addiction with medicated assisted treatment being the preferred and most successful form of treatment. Medication assisted treatment will reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and block the body’s ability to process and use opiates. The most successful medications are buprenorphine-based, such as SUBOXONE, SUBUTEX, ZUBSOLV, SUBLOCADE, and BUNAVAIL and can be self administered daily via oral film strips or delayed release monthly injections. Your doctor can help find what will work best for each persons individual circumstances and needs.