Law enforcement seized about one million counterfeit fentanyl pills from a residence in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood last week, the DEA announced Thursday. The pills have an estimated street value of $15 million to $20 million and are believed to be linked to a drug-trafficking ring associated with the Sinaloa cartel. “This massive seizure stopped the flow of dangerous amounts of fentanyl onto our streets and potentially saved many lives,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. About a million fentanyl pills worth between $15 million and $20 million were seized from an Inglewood home last week. (DEA Los Angeles Field Division) Fentanyl, a dangerous opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, was found in about two-thirds of the 107,622 fatal drug overdoses last year, according to the CDC. THE SURPRISING SIGNS OF FENTANYL POISONING: WHAT PARENTS AND FRIENDS NEED TO KNOW Drug dealers often combine fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin and counterfeit pills, to increase their profits, according to the DEA. “Misleading marketing combined with ease of accessibility makes these small and seemingly harmless pills a significant threat to the health and safety of all of our communities,” Bodner said. “A surprising number of teenagers and young adults are unaware that they are ingesting fentanyl in these counterfeit pills and that they are being poisoned.” Los Angeles is a common staging point for drug trafficking rings due to the city’s proximity to the southern border and the many airports and highways that facilitate the smuggling of drugs to other destinations throughout the United States. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The DEA seized more than 3 million fentanyl pills last year in the greater Los Angeles area, nearly triple the number seized in 2020. About 1.5 million fentanyl pills were seized this year. Bill Melugin of Fox News contributed to this report. Paul Best is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.
