Crime
15 immigrants arrested for 1.8 kilos of fentanyl in Florida
The recovered fentanyl is "enough to kill a million people," authorities said in a statement
March 10, 2023 8:50am
Updated: March 10, 2023 8:50am
Florida authorities and the Custom Border Patrol jointly apprehended 15 undocumented immigrants during an operation that seized 1.8 kilos of fentanyl, authorities reported Monday.
The amount of fentanyl recovered during that week in Sumter County, an area located in the central region of the state, is "enough to kill one million people," the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) said in a statement.
Hernando County Sheriff's Office agents also seized 17.6 kilos of methamphetamine, about 13.6 kilos of marijuana and more than $22,000, in addition to "other illicit contraband, such as cocaine, heroin and Suboxone."
The operation was part of a multi-jurisdictional campaign, involving Florida Department of Law Enforcement and CBP agents to interdict smuggling and human trafficking, as well as seize weapons.
The authorities did not provide details about the nationality of those arrested or the circumstances of the arrests.
Florida Highway Patrol Executive Director Dave Kerner said the agency, which polices some 49.5 million miles of highway each year, is committed to "stopping individuals who traffic illegal aliens and dangerous narcotics."
