Enough Fentanyl To Potentially Kill Millions Found During East Bay Drug Bust: Authorities

OAKLAND, CA — Police say they seized more than eight pounds of fentanyl during raids in Oakland last week, a quantity large enough to kill millions of people, according to figures published by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Alameda County Narcotics Task Force and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Community Oriented Response and Engagement raided a home in the 2400 block of 13th Avenue on Thursday and found more than $15,000 in bundled U.S. currency, authorities said.

During a search of an accessory dwelling unit in the 2700 block of 78th Avenue, authorities found a "sophisticated operation for mixing fentanyl and pressing it into brick-shaped packages," deputies said.

There were more than 3,800 grams of fentanyl inside the ADU, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. That figure is equal to about 8.3 pounds. About two pounds of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people, according to the DEA.

Authorities also found multiple hydraulic kilo presses, blenders, sifters, cutting agents, packaging materials, binders, scenting agents, personal protective equipment, Narcan and scales, authorities said.

Five people were taken into custody during the raid. Police did not release their identity or what charges they may face.

"Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid and has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths," deputies said. "Removing this quantity of fentanyl and the equipment used to process and package it represents a significant seizure in the ongoing effort to prevent dangerous drugs from reaching our communities."