Alleged mass bust of fentanyl by illegal alien in Nevada would be enough to kill millions

An illegal immigrant arrested for speeding in Nevada may have had enough fentanyl in his truck to kill millions of people, federal prosecutors say.

Francisco Joel Garcia Farias, 26, now faces federal drug charges after a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy stopped his pickup truck on a rural road and a narcotics detection dog alerted the vehicle’s presence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

Inside, authorities say they found 13 large storage bins containing approximately 30 pounds of suspected fentanyl and 677 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, a combined amount of more than 700 pounds.

CALIFORNIA K-9 OTIS HELPS POLICE SEIZE 440 POUNDS OF COCAINE DURING ALHAMBRA TRAFFIC STOP

A Homeland Security Investigations file photo shows a display of packaged drugs. The image accompanied the announcement of a seizure of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Nevada and is not identified as evidence of this traffic stop. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada)

“The massive scale of this seizure underscores the staggering volume of illicit narcotics coming from transnational criminal organizations into our communities,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada.

“Fourteen kilograms of fentanyl alone represents approximately seven million potentially lethal two-milligram doses – enough to kill more than twice the population of Nevada – and, combined with more than 650 pounds of methamphetamine, represents an estimated street value of approximately $2 million,” Chattah said.

As a U.S. attorney, I see the horrifying consequences of Fentanyl up close. CONGRESS MUST ACT NOW

Packages of suspected narcotics fill a storage bin recovered during the investigation of Francisco Joel Garcia Farias, who faces federal charges of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada)

Based on this lethal dose estimate, fentanyl could potentially kill nearly twice the population of Los Angeles, the entire population of Indiana, or roughly the entire population of Paraguay.

“These staggering quantities reflect a blatant disregard for human life, motivated solely by profit,” Chattah said.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH FENTANYL TRAFFICKING LINKED TO OVERDOSES AT VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL

The Justice Department identified Garcia Farias as an illegal immigrant in its announcement of the charges.

The arrest began Oct. 13 on U.S. Highway 93 near Ash Springs, Nev., where a trooper saw the van traveling above the posted speed limit, according to prosecutors’ account of the criminal complaint.

HERO K-9 sniffs out hidden $6 million cocaine shipment along US-Canada border

Authorities say 13 storage bins recovered during an Oct. 13 traffic stop in Lincoln County, Nevada, contained approximately 30 pounds of suspected fentanyl and 677 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada)

After the dog was alerted, officers searched the truck and discovered numerous vacuum-sealed packages inside the bins.

Authorities recovered approximately 187 packages of a white crystalline substance weighing approximately 307.22 kilograms, as well as 13 brick-shaped packages weighing approximately 14 kilograms. Field tests of the selected samples came back positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl, respectively, prosecutors said.

DOJ ANNOUNCES 81 ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS INCHARGED AFTER PUERTO RICO DRUG TRAFFICKING SUPPRESSED

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the seizure kept a supply of the potentially deadly drug off U.S. streets.

“Anyone who plans to release a deadly drug like fentanyl onto American streets will be prosecuted,” Blanche said. “Thanks to the diligent work of federal and local law enforcement, the deadly drugs allegedly possessed by this illegal alien no longer endanger the lives of countless Americans.”

CBP OFFICERS SEIZE $67 MILLION IN ILLEGAL DRUGS AT SAN DIEGO BORDER PORTS, DHS SAYS

The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images, file)

The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Task Force partners.

“The suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine seized in this case pose an extraordinary threat to public safety,” said John A. Condon, HSI associate executive director.

“Through close coordination with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our Homeland Security Task Force partners, HSI will continue to identify, investigate and hold accountable those who profit from poisoning Americans and endangering our communities,” Condon said.

Lincoln County Sheriff Derek Foremaster attributed the discovery of the suspected narcotics to his deputies’ law enforcement and the trained dog.

DOJ ALL HUNDREDS OF WEAPONS AND DRUG ARRESTS AT END OF OPERATION SURGE IN ST LOUIS: “VIOLENCE IS NOT INEVITABLE”

“The allegations in this case underscore the serious threat that illicit narcotics pose to rural communities and the traveling public,” Foremaster said.

“I am proud of the vigilance and professionalism demonstrated by our deputies, whose proactive traffic stops and trained K-9 deployment led to the identification of suspected narcotics and a coordinated response with Homeland Security investigations.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Garcia Farias is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison on each count, followed by five years of supervised release, according to prosecutors.