The Los Angeles Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill the entire population of Southern California, the agency said in a tweet.
More than 7 million fentanyl pills and more than 450 kg of fentanyl powder have been seized by the Los Angeles division this year, they said.
“The DEA lab estimates these seizures represent over 38 million potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, which could be enough to kill the entire population in Southern California,” the tweet read.
The DEA seizures “represent our tenacious efforts to make our communities safer,” Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner said in a statement.
“As people prepare to celebrate the holidays and gather with friends and family, let’s be mindful of the fentanyl threat that is destroying families across the country and leaving empty seats at the dinner table this year,” Bodner said. “Los Angeles is a major transshipment hub for fentanyl and other drugs and we continue to see massive amounts of addictive drugs flooding our neighborhoods.”