The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized over 220 pounds of drugs last week, including 20 pounds of pink, heart-shaped fentanyl pills, in what is believed to be the largest single-location drug bust in Massachusetts.
According to a Justice Department press release, an FBI task force seized an estimated 10 million doses of drugs, valued at $8 million, on Nov. 1 in Lynn, Massachusetts, which is located north of Boston. The FBI seizure included eight million doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced powder and pills.
The FBI task force discovered 20 pounds of pink, heart-shaped pills laced with fentanyl that were designed to “look like candy,” according to the Justice Department. The FBI also discovered fake Adderall pills that were believed to contain methamphetamines, as well as brown powder-like and rock substances that tested positive for cocaine and other drugs.
Authorities arrested three men for allegedly running a “large-scale drug trafficking organization,” according to the Justice Department. Emilio Garcia, age 25, known as “6,” and Sebastien Bejin, age 33, known as “Bash,” were both charged with two counts, including the possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute the substances. Deiby Felix, age 40, was only charged one count for the possession of controlled substances and the intent to distribute.
According to The Daily Wire, the three men are scheduled for court on Nov. 13. If the men are convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 per charge.
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The Justice Department noted that an investigation conducted in July regarding an overdose death in Salem, Massachusetts, led the investigators to a drug trafficking organization that was allegedly led by Bejin, Garcia, and Felix. The three men were reportedly under surveillance for three months before authorities received search warrants for the locations identified through the investigation.
“This seizure by the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force saved lives in communities throughout Massachusetts,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “Not only was this seizure one of the largest in the history of Massachusetts, but some of the pills were created to look like candy, potentially presenting an enormous risk to children. The FBI will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in narcotics trafficking to keep drugs off our streets, and out of the hands of children.”
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Joshua S. Levy indicated that the number of doses seized in the FBI raid is greater than the total number of people currently living in the state.
“The fact that we now are seeing fentanyl-laced pills pressed to resemble candy only underscores the urgency of this fentanyl crisis,” Levy said.
In the Justice Department’s press release, Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the “depraved” nature of “trafficking deadly fentanyl” meant to look like candy in order to “appeal to teenagers.”
“The Justice Department is focused on attacking every link in the global fentanyl trafficking chain, and we will not stop until those responsible for the fentanyl poisoning epidemic are brought to justice,” he stated. “We also continue to urge families to have open and honest conversations about the urgent threat posed by this epidemic and the fact that just one pill can kill.”
