Additional Coverage:
Storage Unit Auction Leads to Record-Breaking Fentanyl Seizure in Colorado
Douglas County, CO – What started as a seemingly routine storage unit auction in suburban Denver took a dramatic turn last month when a winning bidder uncovered an astonishing cache of over 1 million counterfeit fentanyl pills, leading to the largest single seizure of its kind in Colorado history. Federal authorities announced the massive narcotics bust on Monday, highlighting a discovery that prevented millions of potentially deadly doses from reaching the streets.
The “shocking discovery” unfolded on November 11 at a storage facility in Douglas County. The fortunate (or perhaps, unfortunate) bidder promptly notified the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office of what appeared to be illegal narcotics. Law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), quickly responded to the scene.
Their investigation ultimately revealed approximately 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills and an additional 12 kilograms of fentanyl powder, which alone could have produced up to 6 million more pills. The haul also included 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine. This unprecedented seizure marks not only a new record for Colorado but also ranks as the sixth-largest single seizure of suspected fentanyl pills in U.S. history.
Authorities confirmed that the registered owner of the storage unit was already in federal custody, having been arrested by the DEA in April. This arrest led to the unit’s unpaid status and subsequent auction. Due to the ongoing investigation, the names of the storage facility, the unit’s owner, and the citizen who made the discovery have not been released.
David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, remarked on the unusual circumstances, stating, “This played out like an episode of a TV show, where a winning bidder legally bought a storage unit and unbeknownst to them, the unit contained 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills and another 12 kilograms of fentanyl powder.” He added, “There is no doubt many lives have been saved by keeping these poison pills off the streets of Colorado.”
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly extended his gratitude to the vigilant citizen and the storage facility staff for their crucial assistance. “Let me send a strong and unmistakable message: fentanyl and illegal narcotics will not be tolerated in Douglas County,” Sheriff Weekly declared.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis also commended the efforts involved in what he termed the “largest successful fentanyl seizure in Colorado history,” emphasizing that “Getting more of this deadly drug off the streets saves lives.”
The investigation remains active, and no further details are available at this time.