A 28-year-old man was arrested during an undercover drug investigation in the downtown area, and investigators subsequently seized more than 50 pounds of fentanyl while serving a search warrant in South Los Angeles, police said Thursday.
Jose Alberto Soto was arrested Wednesday during the undercover operation, and he was booked on suspicion of selling fentanyl, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was cited and released from custody Thursday on his own recognizance, according to jail records.
Investigators from the LAPD Central Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail, with the assistance of Central Area Gang Impact Team personnel, subsequently served a search warrant in the 7500 block of Central Avenue in South Los Angeles and seized more than 50 pounds of powdered fentanyl, approximately 9 pounds of black tar heroin, and $14,5000 in cash, police said.
“According to current Drug Enforcement (Administration) estimates, for the Los Angeles area, this seizure represents over $4 million in street value. Assuming a 2mg lethal dose, this seized fentanyl could potentially kill over 11 million people,” according to an LAPD statement.
Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to contact the LAPD Central Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail at 213-486-6664. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.