Half a million fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone were seized by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office in a week

Last week was busy for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, which reported Monday that it had seized over 500,000 fentanyl tablets disguised as “M30” oxycodone pills. One of the main reasons people overdose on fentanyl is because they think they are taking a less potent opioid, typically disguised as an oxycodone or hydrocodone pill.

At 10:56 p.m. Friday, police in Hesperia, Calif., issued two search warrants at the House of Drip, a clothing store, after officers got wind of it a drug operation takes place. Officials with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department suspect the facility sold M30 fentanyl pills as well as cannabis.

“Lenin Martinez Arevalo, 29, of Hesperia, was arrested and jailed on suspicion of possessing or purchasing drugs for sale, transporting/selling drugs and possessing drugs for sale,” reports the Daily Press in Victorville.

Police said they found more than 4,000 fentanyl pills, cannabis, 227 boxes of THC resin, 35 boxes of psilocybin-infused chocolate and $1,300 in cash while searching the House of Drip.

M30 fentanyl pills are particularly dangerous as they are designed to mimic the appearance of prescription oxycodone pills or, to a lesser extent, Adderall, Xanax and other drugs.

A bigger problem in San Bernardino County

That was just a fraction of the total number of fentanyl pills the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division seized last week. They confiscated over half a million fentanyl tablets.

“Last week the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Gang/Drug Department seized over 115 pounds of fentanyl pills, the equivalent of approximately 517,500 tablets. These pills are counterfeit medicines containing fentanyl.

Last week, the Gangs/Narcotics Division of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department seized over 115 pounds of fentanyl pills, the equivalent of approximately 517,500 tablets. These pills are counterfeit medicines containing fentanyl. pic.twitter.com/HkdemoCvn4

— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 28, 2023

Last October, the San Bernardino County Health Department issued a health alert to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl as the county has seen a surge in overdose deaths.

In 2021, there were 354 fentanyl overdose deaths in San Bernardino County.

Local health officials launched an awareness campaign about the unprecedented rise in fentanyl overdoses and poisoning in San Bernardino County. In June, officials at the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health announced that the campaign would run year-round with the theme “I Don’t Care About Fentanyl.” But we do.”

“There is a misconception that fentanyl only affects drug addicts when in fact it affects a broad segment of our community,” Dawn Rowe, chair of the board of directors, told the Daily Press last summer. “This campaign will help shed light on the reality of the fentanyl crisis and help us save lives.”

The Department of Health joined the “Stop the Void and the INTO LIGHT Project” to develop a media campaign targeting geographic areas in San Bernardino County prone to high rates of fentanyl overdoses, with a special focus on young adults and “vulnerable, underserved people”. communities.”

DEA’s fight against counterfeit M30 pills

San Bernardino County is just one region in California, but the problem is nationwide. Data shows that in 2021 in the US nearly 70,000 people died from fentanyl drug overdoses and fake opioid prescriptions.

“​​Counterfeit pills are nearly identical to real prescription drugs,” according to a DEA Drug Fact Sheet. “Most counterfeit pills resemble oxycodone 30mg pills (M30), but can also mimic hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, and other drugs. There is evidence that drug trafficking organizations are specifically targeting children and young people, producing fake pills of various shapes and bright colors to appeal to this age group. Fake M30 pills can vary in color from white to blue. The best way to avoid counterfeit medicines is to only take medicines prescribed by a licensed doctor and dispensed by a registered pharmacist.”

As little as 2 mg of fentanyl can be fatal enough to cause respiratory arrest, and death occurs quickly. This means that taking a single fake pill can result in death, especially if the person has no tolerance. On the other hand, 30mg of oxycodone is the maximum strength, which is strong but less likely to cause death than a lower amount of fentanyl.

“Distributors in the United States are selling counterfeit pills through social media, targeting a younger audience who are using these apps,” the DEA continues. “Minors and young adults who experiment and regular substance users believe they are buying real oxycodone, Adderall,

Fentanyl is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. And how widespread is the problem? According to the agency, 26 percent of tablets tested in a DEA lab contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.