Photo: Getty Images
Oklahoma law enforcement has seized significant amounts of fentanyl this month, highlighting ongoing drug trafficking concerns in the state. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics recently confiscated 850 fentanyl pills in northwest Oklahoma, according to a social media post. Last week, Oklahoma City police seized a three-pound brick of fentanyl from a suspicious package.
On March 3, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol intercepted over two pounds of fentanyl during a traffic stop in Tulsa, enough to potentially kill 500,000 people. The driver, Alfredo Sandoval, was found to be in the country illegally and is suspected of having ties to a Mexican cartel. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated drug trafficking, and will be prosecuted and deported under Operation Guardian, as reported by Governor Kevin Stitt's office.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the dangers of fentanyl, noting that even a small amount can be lethal. Aaron Brilbeck of the sheriff's office stated, "The equivalency of a grain of salt can kill a person." The Drug Enforcement Administration also warns that fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, increasing their potency and risk. From 2019 to 2023, fentanyl overdose deaths in Oklahoma rose nearly 15-fold, according to the State Department of Health.
Governor Stitt criticized federal immigration policies, claiming they have enabled drug cartels to traffic fentanyl into the U.S. He praised the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for their diligence in seizing the drugs, which he said reflects the presence of cartel members within local communities. The governor vowed to ensure that Oklahoma will not become a sanctuary for criminal activities.