A total of 1,195 vials of fentanyl, which in other countries is known as “the zombie drug” due to the effects it has on addicts, were seized in the city of Antofagasta.
In this regard, the regional prosecutor of Antofagasta, Juan Castro Bekios, pointed out that “we have no record of another seizure like this, we are talking about 1,195 vials of pharmaceutical fentanyl that were hidden in a home in Antofagasta, in their respective boxes, the majority of them sealed. That is why its discovery is a very relevant fact that we are investigating with particular attention, to determine how this product came into the hands of these people and what use they intended to give it.”
The fentanyl was discovered during raids carried out by the OS-7 of Carabineros, in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office for Analysis and Complex Crime (FAAC) in four homes in the upper north sector of the city, an operation during which 100 vials of methadone were also recovered. and 200 of midazolam, other powerful chemicals used in medicine, as well as cocaine hydrochloride, marijuana, military-type clothing, gun cases, bulletproof vest covers and rifle magazines, among other items.
In total, during the raids, six people were arrested, three women and three men, who were formalized this afternoon by the Public Ministry for the crimes of illicit drug trafficking, possession of firearm parts, devices or pieces, and cultivation of species. vegetables of the cannabis genus.
The most important findings were obtained at a specific address on Patricio Cariola Street, where a cardboard box was located inside which the fentanyl vials were stored, along with the other drugs.
In this address, where two of the six defendants were detained, cocaine hydrochloride, a rifle magazine holder, two metal rifle magazines, tactical clothing, compasses, a tactical knife and tactical vest covers were also detected. At the request of the Public Ministry, the six people arrested in the raids were remanded in preventive detention.
Fentanyl is a drug 50 times more powerful than heroin and between 75 to 125 times stronger than morphine, responsible for numerous deaths in the United States, where it is considered an epidemic. Last year, based on two discoveries made in Coronel and the Pino Hachado pass, more and more vials of fentanyl in the possession of drug traffickers began to be detected, but such a volume had never been found.
Castro Bekios warned that fentanyl is a synthetic drug that is used for the treatment of extreme pain, because it acts directly on the central nervous system, with a powerful analgesic action. Hence, an overdose can be fatal.
“There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, while illicitly manufactured fentanyl is available as liquid and powder, but both are highly dangerous, especially when combined with other drugs. “Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can cause the death of a person,” added the prosecutor.
For his part, the head of the Antofagasta Zone of Carabineros, General Cristian Montre Soto, stated that the seizure is the result of arduous investigative work carried out by OS-7 and the Public Ministry, which made it possible to obtain the corresponding court orders and specify successfully carried out the raids, recovering this dangerous drug and other similar products.
Deputy Jaime Araya (ind-PPD), who chaired the investigative commission on organized crime in the northern macrozone, told The counter that “this comes to ratify what we have always said: Antofagasta, unfortunately, is a kind of social laboratory. Therefore, I hope that the government can take very concrete measures to combat this true drug pandemic that we are experiencing in the Antofagasta region.”
Regarding the seizure of fentanyl, he said that “it seems to us that the urgent control measures are to establish the different routes of the Second Region as critical infrastructure, so that there can be collaboration between the military, police and the direction of the Public Ministry. “so that there is more control, very strict control in vehicles, in buses, in all cargo transport, in such a way as to be able to restrict the circulation of so much drug to the maximum.”
In his opinion, “this must be seen from a health perspective, it is a true pandemic, we need similar measures, and although this affects the tranquility and life of the citizens of the Antofagasta region, it is essential to have very strict safety measures.” control because the amount of drugs that is passing through our region is not normal, I greatly appreciate that the police, the PDI, the prosecutor’s office are being carried out, but naturally extra measures are required here, I also hope that the president can arrange for it to work the national council of organized crime in the Antofagasta region.”
Furthermore, he indicated that “if this continues to advance in the Antofagasta region, very soon this phenomenon will be established at the national level and that is a real risk for the security of our democracy, therefore I hope that urgent measures will be taken here and concrete.”
