Days after federal authorities announced the largest fentanyl seizure in New York City history, an even larger amount of the highly addictive substance was found, authorities say.
Two people have been arrested and charged with multiple drug and firearms charges in connection with the Oct. 7 seizure of a Bronx apartment building, prosecutors said in a news release.
Authorities found approximately 300,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills inside two cabinets in the apartment, and more than 22 pounds of the powdered drug was wrapped in clear plastic packaging in several rooms, according to the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. for the New York City. The total sum of the drugs has an approximate street value of $9 million, authorities said.
The historic seizure saved lives, according to DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.
“Hundreds of thousands of lethal pills were lying in wait in a Bronx apartment to be released onto our streets. In today’s world, the potential for overdose is dangerously high,” Tarentino said. “There is no quality control on these fake pills and it only takes two milligrams of fentanyl to be lethal.”
The seizure comes after federal officials announced last week that a woman had been charged with hiding some 15,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills in a Lego box as part of a drug-trafficking scheme in September. That seizure at the time was also considered the largest of fentanyl in New York City history.