In a significant narcotics operation this week, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confiscated a substantial quantity of fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid.
The amount seized is so vast that it could potentially result in the demise of every Los Angeles resident, underscoring the severity of the drug problem in the city.
As reported by Fox News, the operation was a multi-division effort that took place near downtown Los Angeles. The LAPD apprehended 28-year-old Jose Alberto Soto, charging him with the sale of fentanyl. A subsequent search warrant executed in South Los Angeles led to the discovery of over 50 pounds of powdered fentanyl, nearly nine pounds of black tar heroin, and $14,500 in cash.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates the street value of the seized drugs to be around $4 million. Given that a mere 2 mg of fentanyl can be lethal, the quantity confiscated this week could potentially result in over 11 million fatalities, nearly tripling the population of Los Angeles.
Soto remains in custody without bail, according to online jail records. It remains uncertain whether he has secured legal representation.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. While it serves legitimate medical purposes, such as aiding trauma victims in hospitals, its illicit use has surged over the past decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 75,000 overdose deaths last year were attributed to fentanyl. The daily death toll from overdoses linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl exceeds 150. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to combat the opioid crisis.
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