Man Indicted In Largest Fentanyl Bust In N.J. History: Authorities

A Camden man has been indicted in connection with the seizure of a record-setting amount of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl by the New Jersey State Police and ICE Homeland Security Investigations, authorities announced on Monday.

Yahmire Boardley, 23, was indicted on charges of second-degree possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and third-degree possession of fentanyl, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said.
Boardley was arrested in March, when 31 pounds, or 14 kilograms, of fentanyl were seized, according to authorities. He was indicted by a State Grand Jury on Monday.

The March seizure represents the largest seizure of fentanyl by law enforcement in New Jersey history, according to Porrino. Fentanyl is one of the deadliest opioids, with a potency that is 50 times greater than heroin. The 14 kilograms of fentanyl seized could easily have yielded over 5 million lethal doses of fentanyl, since a dose as small as 2 to 3 milligrams can be fatal, Porrino said.

On March 16, authorities executed several search warrants throughout Camden as the result of the month-long investigation. Investigators seized fentanyl from multiple locations and arrested Boardley at his city residence. The investigation was conducted by State Police detectives, along with federal agents and officers from the Camden County Police Department.

Fentanyl is one of the deadliest opioids. While it has been spotlighted for killing Prince, it also has been responsible for a growing death toll in New Jersey, where 417 deaths were attributed to fentanyl in 2015, according to the State Police.

Used to treat acute pain, fentanyl is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. In addition, seven fentanyl knockoffs have been sold on the street in New Jersey, usually disguised as less-powerful drugs like heroin or oxycodone, triggering overdose deaths.

The Attorney General’s Office issued an emergency order last year adding those fentanyl knockoffs to the list of drugs subject to the strictest level of state control.

Fentanyl is so potent that medics and police across the U.S. have been sickened by coming into contact with it while responding to overdoses or making arrests. In this case, the State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit assisted with the operation to address the concern about collateral exposure, Porrino said.

The attached image of Yahmire Boardley was provided by the Attorney General’s Office