LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – A large shipment of fentanyl bound for Allen County was intercepted this week, thanks to the instincts of a veteran United States Postal Service inspector.
According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, a package addressed to a Lima residence was flagged by the inspector, who suspected something unusual about it. After further investigation, the package was pulled and examined by a narcotics canine, which alerted to the presence of drugs. Inside was a kilogram of fentanyl — enough to kill an estimated 500,000 people.
Authorities say the fentanyl likely would have been cut into other drugs for distribution in the community.
Chief Deputy Todd Mohler of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office said the danger of fentanyl is often hidden from those who use drugs.
“A lot of the products that we do see, and have seen over the years are laced with fentanyl, of course, that is not known to a lot of the people that are using and it's an easy way for the drug dealers to get people addicted through that with either be with marijuana, cocaine and any other type of drugs,” Mohler said.
Mohler urged anyone struggling with addiction to seek treatment, noting that as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.
No arrests have been made, but Mohler said indictments are expected in the case.
