Denver Police Shut Down Fentanyl Pill Press Operation

Denver Police Shut Down Fentanyl Pill Press Operation

Published on August 21, 2024

Denver Police investigators inspect a pill press seized as evidence

Denver - Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - Early this morning, the Denver Police Major Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, began executing a search warrant at a house in the 4100 block of South Kirk Court in Arapahoe County. South Metro Fire Rescue also responded to assist with a hazmat component of the incident.

The search warrant is related to a months-long Denver Police investigation into illicit fentanyl pill production and distribution. During the search, investigators discovered a fentanyl pill press operation, recovered materials that preliminarily tested positive for fentanyl, and seized equipment. Four adults were contacted at the home, and there are no arrests to report at this time while the investigation continues.

While not intentional, today's operation coincided with National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and demonstrates the commitment of the Denver Police Department to investigate and address the production and distribution of fentanyl in our community, with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

Tragically, in 2023, more than 74,000 people in the United States lost their lives due to overdose deaths involving fentanyl. In Denver in 2023, there were 598 total deaths involving drugs - 389 of those deaths involved fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, and 100 times more potent than morphine. Overdoses caused by fentanyl can happen faster and therefore may be harder to stop than those caused by other opioids. The drug can come in many forms, including pills, capsules, rock, and powders. In Denver, fentanyl has also been found in place of other illicit drugs like cocaine and heroin.

According to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lab testing, seven out of every ten counterfeit pills seized by the DEA contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. A lethal dose is considered to be two milligrams of fentanyl, which is an amount small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil.

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment offers harm reduction supplies, including naloxone and fentanyl test strips to Denver residents for free. Visit https://tinyurl.com/mr3kz9n6 to learn more about their overdose prevention efforts and to request naloxone and fentanyl test strips. If there is an immediate need for naloxone, visit StoptheClockColorado.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please do not hesitate to reach out for help through Colorado Crisis Services online, by calling 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or texting "TALK" to 38255. Additionally, residents are encouraged to carry naloxone (Narcan) that may reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and to visit DDPHE's Overdose Prevention webpage for additional potential life-saving information.

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