Turlock police seize 11 kilos of powdered fentanyl during search
Turlock police on Thursday seized 11 kilos of powdered fentanyl with the potential of causing millions of overdoses.
The department’s Special Investigations Unit and the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 1000 block of West Avenue South at 11 a.m., according to a press release.
The 11 kilos, or just over 24 pounds, of powdered fentanyl was seized along with evidence of narcotic sales.
“This amount of fentanyl is capable of producing over 7 million fentanyl pills for distribution in communities. This poison has no place on our streets and we will continue to dismantle these operations until the message is clear that this is not welcomed or tolerated in Turlock,” Chief Jason Hedden said in a statement.
Fentanyl is a schedule two controlled substance that is similar to morphine but 100 times more potent, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The DEA estimates that about one kilo of fentanyl can kill 500,000 people, so the amount seized in Turlock could have potentially killed over 5 million people, according to the release.
Police arrested 44-year-old Frank Romero on suspicion of possession and intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is being held at the Stanislaus County Jail with bail set at $100,000.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this incident call its drug line at 209-668-5550, ext. 6117. You can also contact the department’s tip line at 209-668-5550, ext. 6780, or by email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
This story was originally published June 16, 2023 at 1:16 PM.
