Deputies seized roughly 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills and arrested a federal fugitive while serving a warrant at a Victorville motel on Wednesday, authorities said.
The bust took place about 3:40 p.m. at a motel in the 12100 block of Mariposa Road, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials and booking records.
An investigation by the Sheriff’s Hesperia Gang Investigations Team identified Anthony Torres, 38, of Hesperia, as a suspect in a drug dealing case, the agency said in a written statement. He was being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service in connection with a federal “no-bail” warrant.
After tracking Torres to the motel in Victorville, “investigators contacted Torres and recovered approximately 1,000 suspected counterfeit ‘M30’ pills.
Torres was arrested on suspicion of drug sales, as well as the outstanding warrant, records show.
The seized pills were manufactured to look like oxycodone tablets, although they were believed to actually contain fentanyl, officials said.
“The community should be aware that counterfeit pills are often made to resemble legitimate prescription medications and may contain fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid,” according to the statement. “These pills are frequently sold through illicit channels and may appear identical to authentic pharmaceutical products
“Taking any pill that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a licensed pharmacy can have deadly consequences,” the statement added. “The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department encourages residents to educate themselves and their loved ones about the dangers of counterfeit pills and illicit narcotics.”
Torres was being held without bail pending legal proceedings.
Anyone with information can reach the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500. Information may also be provided anonymously to the WeTip hotline at (844) 909-3096.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills seized in Victorville, Hesperia man jailed
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
