East Lake Norman News

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office recently intercepted $3.75 million worth of fentanyl during a traffic stop on Interstate 77, leading to the arrest of two individuals for heroin trafficking. The incident has been linked by U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) to what he perceives as President Biden's failure in border security, emphasizing the extensive implications of fentanyl trafficking across the country.

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis highlighted the severity of the situation with several statements. He noted, "Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies just seized enough fentanyl to kill 26 million people." He further connected this incident to broader national issues, stating, "Fentanyl being smuggled across North Carolina is yet another consequence of President Biden’s failure to secure the border." Tillis concluded his remarks by saying, "Every state is now a border state."

As reported by Iredell Free News, during a routine traffic stop, the Iredell County Sheriff's Office Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team halted a northbound 18-wheeler due to a violation. This led to the discovery of 118 pounds of suspected fentanyl hidden within duffel bags alongside over $100,000 in cash - a record seizure for the department.

Tillis' quote | X

In an additional report from Iredell Free News, Campbell stated that these drugs had entered the U.S. from the Southern border less than two days prior to their seizure. The amount of fentanyl seized was substantial enough to potentially cause 26.8 million fatalities. Campbell said: "The supply of illegal drugs is at an all-time high across our nation, which drives violence, addictions and other crimes. Law enforcement is frustrated with the overdose deaths, crime and violence that follows the drug trade. We need our lawmakers to secure our borders and provide the resources to stop the flow of these deadly narcotics across the Southern border."

WCNC reports that each suspect is currently being held on secured bonds of $3.5 million each.

According to a Fox News report, opioids were responsible for over 100,000 overdose deaths in 2022, with fentanyl being the leading opioid, primarily produced in Mexico. This drug, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, is often mixed with other substances, creating a significant risk as users may unknowingly ingest fentanyl.