Over 1 million dollars worth of fentanyl seized by WTDTF, 2 arrests made

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — The West Tennessee Drug Task Force is calling it the largest seizure of fentanyl ever made in this area.

Hidden inside bags of fertilizer, agents for the WTDTF found 85 pounds of powder fentanyl.

Agents from the WTDTF of the 30th judicial district in Memphis, seized it during a traffic stop Sunday.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma with Florida registration was traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 when the vehicle was pulled over due to a traffic violation.

Investigators arrested two people, 42 year old Ernesto Ortiz , and 25 year old Maria Munoz-Arevalo, both suspects are from Texas.

“Fentanyl can be very deadly with just as little as 2 milligrams able to cause an overdose of an average person. That’s how little of drug it takes to overdose and with the amount of fentanyl coming in you don’t know the strength of it if it’s mixed into a pill,” said Johnie Carter, 28th Judicial District Director.

The value of these drugs is roughly 1 million dollars with the street value totaling nearly 10 times that amount.

“Just trying to save lives. It’s great to have a partnership with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force to do that, and if we catch you we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sheriff for Haywood County, Billy Garrett Jr.

The two individuals are currently being held at the Haywood County jail on a 5-million dollar bond.

Law enforcement officials say the two could face up to 25 years depending on their criminal history.

For more local news, click here.