Hennepin County Makes Largest Seizure of Illegal Fentanyl in State History

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — On Thursday, Nov. 3, the Bloomington Police Department, in partnership with the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of nearly three quarters of a gallon of fentanyl, along with marijuana, illegal prescription pills and several firearms. The 2,754 milliliters of fentanyl has an estimated street value of $275,000 and is the largest amount confiscated in Minnesota State history, according to a news release.

“This is what we accomplish with multi-agency partnerships,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek in a statement.

“Working together, our agencies can achieve success in preventing overdose deaths from opioids like fentanyl and heroin. If you want to deal this poison in Hennepin County, we have a place for you in the jail.”

Fentanyl is a schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act, and according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is a potent synthetic opioid and can serve as a direct substitute for heroin in opioid dependent individuals. However, fentanyl is very dangerous because it is much more potent than heroin and results in frequent overdoses that can lead to respiratory depression and death.

Fentanyl overdose deaths in Hennepin County

Jan-Sept 2016: 18
2015 (Full year): 9
2014 (Full year): 5

Heroin overdose deaths in Hennepin County

Jan-Sept 2016: 49
Jan-Sept 2015: 30
2015 (Full year): 48

Opioid overdose deaths in Hennepin County

Jan-Sept 2016: 51
Jan-Sept 2015: 41
2015 (Full year): 61

“In light of recent opiate overdoses including those in Bloomington, this case reiterates the importance of a strong, coordinated enforcement approach to identifying those who choose to traffic in this very dangerous and addictive narcotic,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts.

Last month, Hennepin, along with Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties were designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas by the White House – Office of National Drug Control Policy. The new designation will provide the five counties with federal resources to assist with the coordination and development of drug control efforts among Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials.
The on-going investigation is led by the HC-VOTF. VOTF is a task force that includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and the following police departments: Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Golden Valley, and Richfield. The Bloomington Police Department is also assisting with this investigation.

Image via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office