The narcotics were found in a vehicle in Buena Park – Photo: SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images
Orange County authorities achieved the largest drug seizure of the last 16 years in an operation that put two suspected drug traffickers behind bars, as reported on Wednesday.
The Buena Park Police Department seized 821 pounds of methamphetamine, 189.7 pounds of cocaine, and 20.5 pounds of fentanyl pills, that were found in a minivan leaving a residence on March 17, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.
Hispanics Edgar Alfonso Lamas-López, 36 years old; and Carlos Raygoza-Paredes, 53, were arrested and charged on March 21 with one felony count of possession for sale of a controlled substance, three felony counts of sale or transportation for sale of a controlled substance, and two felony counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
The two alleged traffickers are also charged with two felony charges for controlled substance exceeding 176 pounds by weight and two felony charges for controlled substance exceeding 44 pounds by weight.
That same day, both pleaded not guilty and in will have to appear in court on May 16 at the North Justice Center, in Fullerton, for a pre-trial hearing.
The two defendants are in the custody of the authorities on $5 million bail.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said the amount of fentanyl seized, 20.5 pounds, could cause the death of 4.7 million people according to a lethal dose for each person, of 2 milligrams.
“Millions of unsuspecting people have the angel of death looking over their shoulders and have no idea how close they are to dying from taking a single pill. Fentanyl is cheap, it’s easy to get, and it kills our children, our co-workers, and tens of thousands of innocent Americans who don’t have to die,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
The two alleged traffickers face up to 37 years and 4 months in prison if found guilty at trial.
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