Major New Jersey Fentanyl Bust: Enough To Kill 18 Million Seized

Enough fentanyl to kill 18 million people has been discovered in what authorities are calling a "record-setting" drug bust in New Jersey. Fentanyl is believed to be as much as 50 times more potent than heroin.

Four men have been indicted in connection with the recent seizure of 45 kilograms – or nearly 100 pounds – of the super-potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced Friday. The State Police also seized nearly 40 kilos of heroin.

The 45 kilos of fentanyl could have yielded more than 18 million lethal doses, since a dose as small as 2 to 3 milligrams can be fatal, according to a release from the Office of Attorney General. This case shatters the prior record for the largest seizure of fentanyl by law enforcement in New Jersey, which was set in March.

Also See: Tackling New Synthetic Drugs

The new fentanyl discovery includes 40 kilos seized in North Bergen and five kilos seized in the same operation in Willingboro. It was initially suspected to be heroin because of the huge quantity, but lab testing revealed it was fentanyl, according to the release.

“Dealers lace heroin with this deadly poison to boost potency, and with these amounts of fentanyl being stockpiled in New Jersey, I am desperately urging heroin users to seek treatment now more than ever, as their next dose could be their last," Porrino said in the release. "Fentanyl is so deadly that just these 45 kilos of fentanyl could have yielded enough lethal doses to kill the entire populations of New Jersey and New York City combined.”

The following three men were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl (second degree), possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute (second degree) and possession of fentanyl (third degree):

• Jesus Carrillo-Pineda, 31, of Philadelphia
• Jesus Yanez-Martinez, 22, of Somerton, Arizona
• Daniel Vasquez, 28, of Somerton, Arizona

Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez each face a charge of distribution of fentanyl (second degree), and Carrillo-Pineda faces a charge of possession of heroin (third degree) related to the North Bergen arrests, according to the release.

The indictment also charges Carrillo-Pineda and Omar Zeus Rodriguez, 38, of Willingboro, New Jersey, in connection with the seizure in Willingboro of five kilos of fentanyl, nearly 40 kilos of heroin and a smaller quantity of methamphetamine, according to the release

During the investigation, New Jersey State Police detectives from the Trafficking North Unit developed information that a shipment of drugs was being delivered to a location in North Bergen in June, according to the release.

On June 28, State Police detectives, assisted by members of the North Bergen Police Department, arrested Carrillo-Pineda, Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez in the parking lot of a business in North Bergen after observing an alleged drug transaction, according to the release.

In the transaction, fentanyl was transferred from a tractor-trailer occupied by Yanez-Martinez and Vasquez to a Mercedes Benz driven by Carrillo-Pineda, according to the release.

The arrests resulted in the seizure of the 40 kilograms of fentanyl, which were individually wrapped and held in two black duffel bags that had been transferred to the trunk of the Mercedes Benz. A search of the car also revealed a handbag containing $1,050 and a small quantity of heroin, according to the release.

The next day, June 29, State Police detectives of the Trafficking South Unit continued the investigation with assistance from the Willingboro Police Department, conducting a search at Rodriguez’s residence in Willingboro, where Carrillo-Pineda had been staying, according to the release.

As a result, detectives arrested Rodriguez and seized nearly 80 kilos of suspected narcotics. Rodriguez was loading suitcases into a Range Rover outside his residence when he was approached by detectives. The drugs were found in the suitcases and an open Fed Ex box in the vehicle’s trunk, according to the release.

Testing confirmed that the seized kilos included 5 kilos of fentanyl, nearly 40 kilos of heroin and a smaller quantity of methamphetamine. Other kilo packages contained cutting agents.

While it has been spotlighted for killing Prince and other celebrities, fentanyl also is responsible for a growing death toll in New Jersey, where there were 417 overdose deaths from fentanyl in 2015, and 394 overdose deaths from fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in just the first six months of 2016, according to the release.

“Cases like this involving the interdiction of major drug traffickers represent just one facet of our efforts to fight the opiate epidemic,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We also have a strike team that has criminally charged six doctors with indiscriminately prescribing opioid pain pills for profit, including two who face first-degree charges of strict liability for a drug-induced death. We are bringing the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for fueling opiate addiction.”

The indictments were handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the cases to Hudson County, where the defendants will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.

OAG photos, clockwise from top left: Jesus Yanez-Martinez, 22, of Somerton, Arizona; Daniel Vasquez, 28, of Somerton, Arizona; Omar Zeus Rodriguez, 38, of Willingboro, New Jersey; and Jesus Carrillo-Pineda, 31, of Philadelphia.