Authorities Seize 14M Lethal Fentanyl Doses, Arrest Three in Downey

Authorities in Los Angeles announced the arrest of three individuals linked to a significant fentanyl trafficking operation, resulting in the seizure of 14 million lethal doses valued at approximately $55 million. The suspects include Priscilla Gomez, her brother Gustavo Omar Gomez, and Carlos Manuel Mariscal, who face multiple felony charges. Downey police discovered over 50 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 12 pounds of opium during a search following a traffic stop involving Priscilla Gomez, who was identified as a courier. This seizure surpassed the total amount of fentanyl confiscated at the U.S.-Canada border in a year, highlighting the severity of the opioid crisis in the region. District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the deadly potential of fentanyl, stating that just one kilogram can kill 500,000 people. The investigation is seen as a critical step in combating the ongoing epidemic of fentanyl-related overdoses in Los Angeles County.