Over $1 Million in Fentanyl Pills Confiscated by Local Arizona Police

by Cameron Arcand

 

Major fentanyl seizures are not exclusive to just border authorities, as $1.2 million worth of the deadly drug was confiscated by the Mesa Police Department on Independence Day.

The seizure of roughly 750,000 blue fentanyl pills weighed around 200 pounds and were put into nearly 60 “bundles” throughout a gold Cadillac. According to the news release, the police were flagged after a call of three people being in a car where ” the driver appeared to be unconscious.”

Three individuals, Julian Reyes, 38, Sunflower Short, 24, and Gabriel Rodriguez, 26, have each been arrested on narcotic drug possession charges, but Rodriguez will also be charged for transporting the drugs. The 26-year-old, who was driving, tried to leave the scene but ended up injuring himself while doing so and wound up in the hospital. Once he leaves the hospital he will head to jail like the other two suspects, the release stated.

The release added that police got a search warrant to check the car, which was parked in a lot on Rio Salado Parkway.

Fentanyl seizures are extremely common in Arizona, but are more heavily publicized by state troopers and federal border officers. The Center Square reported that troopers obtained over 100 pounds worth of meth and fentanyl in June.

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Cameron Arcand is a staff reporter for The Center Square covering Arizona. A contributor since 2022, Arcand previously worked for Salem Media Group and The Western Journal.
Photo “Mesa Fentanyl Seizure” by City of Mesa Police Department.